But surely refugee laws were not designed to solve every case of spousal abuse.

Uganda had perhaps the harshest refugee laws in the region.

"The new interpretation bears no relation to a real refugee law."

The Clinic focuses primarily on human rights, immigration and refugee law.

In essence, says Hathaway, these nations' refugee laws consider domestic violence more than just a private matter.

"There was no question of a violation of refugee law in that case."

It expressed concern that, during armed conflict, there was little respect for international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.

Immigration officials fear opening a huge loophole in the refugee law, however.

That bottled up the boat people, but made a mockery of American refugee law.

"It is not in keeping with the letter and spirit of refugee law."