Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are individuals or groups who are forced or obliged to leave their homes to avoid the effects of armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, or disasters, but who remain within their country’s borders. This widely accepted definition, originating from the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and reflected in regional instruments such as the Great Lakes Protocol and the Kampala Convention, emphasizes two core elements: the coerced nature of movement and non‑crossing of international borders. The list of causes is illustrative rather than exhaustive, capturing displacement that occurs both in response to harm and in anticipation of it. 

IDPs remain citizens or habitual residents of their country and therefore retain all rights under national and international law. The Guiding Principles affirm that IDPs do not require a distinct legal status to enjoy their rights; rather, identification as IDPs serves to highlight specific vulnerabilities linked to displacement. Domestic definitions may adapt the international concept to local contexts, but must not exclude certain categories of IDPs or impose discriminatory limitations. Importantly, non‑citizens who are habitual residents, including stateless persons, may also qualify as IDPs. 

Some States establish administrative IDP registration or status systems to manage benefits and assistance. Where such systems exist, they must include fair eligibility criteria, transparent procedures, and access to effective remedies for those denied registration. The overarching aim of the IDP category in RiMAP is to assess whether domestic frameworks align with international standards, ensure equal protection, and avoid creating barriers that undermine IDPs’ rights.