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This module will provide a critical understanding of both the international and European regime of refugee protection.Ìý

The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is now over 70 years old. At the end of 2022 the UNHCR reported that the number of people forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution stood at over 100 million worldwide - the highest level ever recorded and a 32 million increase in the last three years alone. In the last 5 years, over 12 million people sought refuge in Europe, while over 200,000 of them died trying to reach safety.Ìý
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Against this background, international debates continue regarding the nature of the protection that refugees should be granted, the role of the international community, and the obligations of receiving countries towards refugees.Ìý

Module ParagraphÌý

The first part of the module will cover the international legal framework for refugee protection, its main challenges and shortcomings.Ìý

A review of key jurisprudence within international, regional, and national courts will provide an understanding of how refugee and asylum law is interpreted and implemented. Main areas of discussion will include international criteria for the attainment, exclusion and withdrawal of refugee status, the development of the non-refoulement principle, and the changing role of UNHCR. Subsequent seminars will explore the concept of complementary protection offered by other instruments of international law and the European Convention of Human Rights.Ìý

The second half of the module will focus on the development of a Common European Asylum System by the European Union. The EU is the only example worldwide where a large number of countries are in the process of harmonising their national interpretation of international refugee protection obligations.Ìý

Against the background of recent multiple refugee crises, the EU offers valuable insights into the difficulties that prevent a coherent application of refugee protection instruments. Where appropriate, comparisons will be drawn with other regions worldwide. Finally, the module will consider whether the 1951 Refugee Convention is still capable of adequately catering for refugee movements in the 21st century.Ìý

By the end of the module, students should be in a position to:Ìý
1.ÌýÌý Ìýhave assimilated the main principles of the international and European refugee regime and their applications in different contextsÌý
2.ÌýÌý Ìýbe familiar with the political, economic and human rights issues related to refugee studiesÌý
3.ÌýÌý Ìýmaster the understanding and application of the European refugee regime and of EU asylum instrumentsÌý
4.ÌýÌý Ìýbe able to critically evaluate the underpinnings of International Refugee Law and have developed an individual reform perspectiveÌý

Students will be expected to familiarise themselves with topics in advance of the seminars and to contribute to the seminars through discussion and debate groups.