"Political asylum" refers to the protection granted to individuals who flee their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. It allows these individuals to seek refuge in another country and offers them legal status and safety from threats in their home nation. The process often involves a formal application to the host country's government, which must assess the validity of the asylum claim. International law, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention, provides the framework for granting asylum and protecting the rights of refugees.