REFUGEE CONVENTION
Article 5
Voluntary Repatriation
1. The essentially voluntary character of repatriation shall be respected in all cases and no
refugee shall be repatriated against his will.
2. The country of asylum, in collaboration with the country of origin, shall make adequate
arrangements for the safe return of refugees who request repatriation.
3. The country of origin, on receiving back refugees, shall facilitate their resettlement and
grant them the full rights and privileges of nationals of the country, and subject them to the
same obligations.
4. Refugees who voluntarily return to their country shall in no way be penalized for having
left it for any of the reasons giving rise to refugee situations. Whenever necessary, an
appeal shall be made through national information media and through the Administrative
Secretary-General of the OAU, inviting refugees to return home and giving assurance that
the new circumstances prevailing in their country of origin will enable them to return
without risk and to take up a normal and peaceful life without fear of being disturbed or
punished, and that the text of such appeal should be given to refugees and clearly explained
to them by their country of asylum.
5. Refugees who freely decide to return to their homeland, as a result of such assurances or
on their own initiative, shall be given every possible assistance by the country of asylum,
the country of origin, voluntary agencies and international and intergovernmental
organizations, to facilitate their return.
Article 6
Travel Documents
1. Subject to Article III, Member States shall issue to refugees lawfully staying in their
territories travel documents in accordance with the United Nations Convention relating to
the Status of Refugees and the Schedule and Annex thereto, for the purpose of travel
outside their territory, unless compelling reasons of national security or public order
otherwise require. Member States may issue such a travel document to any other refugee in
their territory.
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