The international origins of refugee law -- International norms and state practice -- Degrees of risk : the standard of proof in claims for protection -- The definition of persecution : its forms and sources -- The nexus requirement -- Persecution on account of political opinion -- Persecution on account of religion -- Persecution based on race or nationality -- Persecution based on membership in a particular social group -- Gender-related claims to refugee status -- Qualifications upon protection -- The process and rights of asylum seekers -- Proving the claim -- Current and future challenges in refugee protection