A Label with a Price: The Effects of Refugee Labeling on Human Security of the Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia & Thailand and Venezuelan Refugees in Colombia & Peru

Abstract: The politics of labeling is not a brand-new discussion in the political science field, however, the discussion on refugee labeling in the Global South context is barely discussed. The Rohingyas and the Venezuelans fled their countries to avoid persecution and other human rights violation happening in the countries. Although according to the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1984 Cartagena Declaration they fall under the refugee label, in reality, the label is determined by the receiving states. Some labels (such as those offered by Colombia and Peru), offer higher protection, whilst others (such as those offered by Malaysia and Thailand) offer lower or even no protection at all. This thesis analyzed how this label affects human security by using comparative and document analysis. The findings show how labeling impacts the human security of the refugees which for some of them, is a life-and-death situation.