The 1951 Refugee Convention is an international treaty that defines who qualifies as a refugee and outlines the rights of individuals granted asylum. It was established in response to the aftermath of World War II, aiming to protect people fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The Convention also sets obligations for countries to provide asylum seekers with legal protection and assistance. It emphasizes the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits nations from returning refugees to places where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.