asylum (əsī`ləm), extension of hospitality and protection to a fugitive and the place where such protection is offered. The use of temples and churches for this purpose in ancient and medieval times was known as sanctuary sanctuary, sacred place, especially the most sacred part of a sacred place. In ancient times and in the Middle Ages, a sanctuary served as asylum , a place of refuge for persons fleeing from violence or from the penalties of the law.
..... Click the link for more information. . In modern international law, the granting of asylum to refugees from other lands is the right of a state by virtue of its territorial sovereignty. A fugitive, however, has no right to demand asylum from the state to which he flees; that state makes its own determination in each case. Between most nations there are treaties of extradition extradition (ĕkstrədĭsh`ən)
..... Click the link for more information. providing for the mutual surrender of fugitives from justice, and there is a tendency to confine the granting of asylum to political refugees and victims of apparent discrimination and intolerance. Asylum has sometimes been granted more broadly; some Third World women have successfully sought asylum for themselves or their daughters in the United States or other Western nations to avoid forced genital mutilation, a traditional practice in a number of societies (see circumcision circumcision (sûr'kəmsĭzh`ən), operation to remove the foreskin covering the glans of the penis.
..... Click the link for more information. ). A situation causing many international disputes is the use of embassies and legations, by virtue of their status of extraterritoriality extraterritoriality or exterritoriality, privilege of immunity from local law enforcement enjoyed by certain aliens. Although physically present upon the territory of a foreign nation, those aliens possessing extraterritoriality are considered
..... Click the link for more information. , as places of refuge in times of disorder and conflict. Most countries do not offer this type of asylum except when it seems necessary for the preservation of human life.

asylum

Protection from arrest and extradition given to political refugees by a country or by an embassy that has diplomatic immunity. No one has a legal right to asylum, and the sheltering state, which has the legal right to grant asylum, is under no obligation to give it. It is thus a right of the state, not the individual. Its traditional use has been to protect those accused of political offenses such as treason, desertion, sedition, and espionage. Beginning in the 20th century, asylum also was granted to those who could demonstrate a significant risk of politically motivated persecution if they returned to their home countries.

asylum

1. International law refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government

2. Obsolescent an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed lunatic asylum)

asylum (redirected from mental hospital)

asylum

asylum
(redirected from mental hospital)