Cyberwarfare in Non-International Armed Conflict: The Determination of Refugee Status

International law and human rights protection regimes face an unprecedented challenge as a result of the intersection of cyberwarfare, non-international armed conflicts (NIACs), and the determination of refugee status. As cyberwarfare emerges as a major weapon of conflict, established legal frameworks fall short in addressing its effects on civilian populations. This study examines how cyberattacks that target vital civilian networks and digital infrastructure worsen displacement and make it more difficult to recognise someone as a refugee, especially in NIACs where international engagement and state sovereignty collide. Significant loopholes in international legal protection are found by the research. The article makes the case for adding cyberwarfare as a distinct category of injury to refugee and displacement legislation.