Homeless In the Homeland – A Study on The Rights of Internally Displaced Persons

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are those who have been forced or obliged to leave their homes behind, notably for reasons related to armed conflict or other violence, and who remain within the borders of their country. There is no universal, legally binding instrument equivalent to the 1951 Refugee Convention that specifically addresses their plight. People forced to flee or leave their homes are generally subject to heightened vulnerability in a number of areas. They remain at high risk of physical attack, sexual assault and abduction, and frequently are deprived of adequate shelter, food and health services. The overwhelming majority of IDPs are women and children who are especially at risk of abuse of their basic rights. More often than refugees, the internally displaced tend to remain close to or become trapped in zones of conflict. There is very little to no protection available to IDPs. This paper tries to analyse the International and Indian legal framework available to protect the rights of IDPs.