Abstract
The contemporary international refugee system was the product of a desire to provide protection and assistance to those who have a well-founded fear of persecution, a somewhat sophistic term in the twenty-first century. Increasingly, however, the system is being challenged by States seeking to reduce refugee applications by adhering to a restrictive interpretation of their Refugee Convention obligations. Underscoring the link between natural law, human rights and refugee law, the paper shows how the European Court of Human Rights has become an important actor in preserving the rights of those seeking refuge within the Council of Europe's jurisdiction. The article thus seeks to encourage further research on the role of legal theory in the refugee regime as well as on how regional courts can help challenge State power in an era of globalisation.