"Political asylum" refers to the protection granted by a country to individuals who have fled their home nation due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. This legal status allows asylum seekers to remain in the host country and prevents their deportation back to the threats they escape. The principles of political asylum are rooted in international human rights law, which emphasizes the obligation of states to not return individuals to places where their life or freedom could be at risk.