CHAPTER III

QUALIFICATION FOR BEING A REFUGEE

Cessation
Article 11
1
A third-country national or a stateless person shall cease to be a refugee if he or she:
a
has voluntarily re-availed himself or herself of the protection of the country of nationality; or
b
having lost his or her nationality, has voluntarily re-acquired it; or
c
has acquired a new nationality, and enjoys the protection of the country of his or her new nationality; or
d
has voluntarily re-established himself or herself in the country which he or she left or outside which he or she remained owing to fear of persecution; or
e
can no longer, because the circumstances in connection with which he or she has been recognised as a refugee have ceased to exist, continue to refuse to avail himself or herself of the protection of the country of nationality; or
f
being a stateless person, he or she is able, because the circumstances in connection with which he or she has been recognised as a refugee have ceased to exist, to return to the country of former habitual residence.
2
In considering points (e) and (f) of paragraph 1, Member States shall have regard to whether the change of circumstances is of such a significant and non-temporary nature that the refugee’s fear of persecution can no longer be regarded as well-founded.
3
Points (e) and (f) of paragraph 1 shall not apply to a refugee who is able to invoke compelling reasons arising out of previous persecution for refusing to avail himself or herself of the protection of the country of nationality or, being a stateless person, of the country of former habitual residence.