The protection, by a sovereign state, of a person who is persecuted in his own country for his political opinions or activity

plural of asylum seeker

orphanage

(dated) mental hospital

(historical) A religious prison for prostitutes and unmarried mothers, usually as a source of forced labour.

plural of right of asylum

(law) The right of a person persecuted by his or her own country to be protected by another sovereign authority.

Said of a situation in which those in charge are incapable of handling their responsibilities, and should rather be put under scrutiny themselves.