United Nations High Commissioner Research Articles

‘I know about something called human rights’: claiming refugee rights through protest at UNHCR Beirut

ABSTRACT Across the globe, refugees and asylum seekers have demonstrated against the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), demanding increased protection and assistance. Drawing on original ethnographic research, this article uses the analytical frames of contentious politics and legal consciousness to explore protest actions targeting UNHCR by Sudanese protection seekers in Beirut, Lebanon. It asks: Why and how do protesters choose to adopt human rights language in their claim-making? In other words, how do human rights motivate protest? And how does protest frame human rights? The article examines how Sudanese protesters framed their cause in the liberal internationalist discourse of human rights, often referring to terms and concepts derived straight from the vocabulary of international human rights and the international refugee protection regime. Specifically, the protesters invoked UNHCR’s obligations and responsibilities towards them and communicated their demands through the English language. The article contributes to our understanding not only of refugee rights claiming in Beirut specifically but also of how subaltern groups more generally are able to mobilise outside of traditional political structures. By exploring the circumstances under which protection seekers deploy the law to protect their interests, it also makes a distinct contribution to legal consciousness studies.

Refugee status as taboo: how humanitarian intervention impeded refugee recognition in Vietnam before the Orderly Departure Program (1979)

The management of the Vietnamese refugee crisis, when the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) resettled approximately three million refugees between 1975 and 1997, remains a cornerstone of UNHCR’s self-representation and an oft-cited example of successful intervention to this day. However, the focus on resettlement obscures the fact that UNHCR’s engagement in Vietnam started well before the end of the war, in 1973, in the form of humanitarian aid. This essay argues that UNHCR’s early engagement with Vietnam intended to realize the organization’s international ambitions, namely, to further globalize its reach. After its successful war of decolonization, Vietnam attained a special position in the Global South as well as in the communist bloc that allowed UNHCR to build new relationships beyond the West. The essay makes extensive use of archival material, not only from UNHCR’s archives and Western countries, such as the United States and Great Britain, but also from the Vietnamese National Archives, to show how in these early stages the usage of the word “refugee” became a taboo for UNHCR officials and the communist Vietnamese authorities alike. This reluctance to recognize those leaving Vietnam as refugees impeded their chance at protection, while it allowed UNHCR to intervene in the crisis on behalf of the Vietnamese government. Hence, rather than a saviour of refugees from Vietnam, UNHCR let its own interests prevail, violating its mandate to protect refugees. Examining international crisis management and foreign intervention in Vietnam, this essay demonstrates that UNHCR attempted to exploit the crisis to exponentially expand its own size and globalize its reach to both the post-colonial and the communist worlds. Paradoxically, only when UNHCR changed course, adopting the Orderly Departure Program of 1979, did the Office expand to become one of the leading agencies within the UN system.

Peculiarities of criminal liability provided for collaborative activities

The article examines the peculiarities of criminal liability for collaboration activities in Ukraine as one of the key challenges to national security amidst the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation. It analyzes the grounds for introducing relevant legislative norms, particularly Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (CCU), and their significance in combating collaborationism. The study outlines issues associated with the application of these norms, especially in distinguishing criminal acts from behaviors aimed at survival by citizens in temporarily occupied territories (TOT). The article provides a historical overview of the term “collaborationism” and its contemporary meaning. It emphasizes that collaboration activities encompass various forms, such as public denial of aggression, cooperation with occupation authorities, organizing unlawful elections or referenda, and participating in propaganda activities. However, the lack of a clear definition of this term in the CCU complicates its practical application. Statistical data underscore the relevance of the issue: since the introduction of Article 111-1, over 8,000 cases have been registered. Nevertheless, the high conviction rate and absence of acquittals raise concerns about adherence to principles of justice and human rights. The study also discusses observations by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighting the insufficient clarity of the article’s provisions, which may lead to arbitrary enforcement. The authors propose improving criminal legislation through the following measures: Introducing a clear definition of collaborationism into the CCU. Clarifying the provisions of Article 111-1 in line with international standards. Ensuring legal differentiation between criminal offenses and actions related to survival. Harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with international humanitarian law. These changes are expected to enhance the effectiveness of combating collaborationism while maintaining a balance between punishing offenders and protecting the rights of citizens in TOT.

Shaping Norms: Australia, G.J.L. Coles, and the Evolution of the UN Refugee Agency's Repatriation Culture

The emergence in the 1990s of voluntary repatriation as a significant new norm in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) practice in refugee protection is often represented as something of an inevitability. Numerous scholars have suggested that the growth at UNHCR of a “repatriation culture” throughout the 1980s was principally the result of the increasing pressures of mass influx events alongside the challenges of dwindling resources and states' demands for durable solutions to successive refugee crises. In this article, we argue that these challenges offer only a partial explanation for UNHCR's turn from the cold war “exilic bias” of the international protection regime, towards the post‐cold war prioritisation of repatriation. We suggest that states such as Australia, deeply concerned with the long‐term outcomes of refugee flows in the late 1970s and 1980s, worked in tandem with key individuals who helped to shape the normative landscape of international protection. We identify GJL Coles as one such individual and offer a close analysis of his influence on key statements concerning voluntary repatriation throughout the 1980s. By making visible the entangled contributions of Australia and Coles, we add a hitherto missing strand to the story of how the “repatriation culture” at UNHCR, and the human rights discourse that accompanied it, emerged.

The role of private sponsorship on refugee resettlement outcomes: a mixed methods study of Syrians in a mid-sized city with a linguistic minority

ABSTRACT Given the growing number of refugees worldwide and the disproportionate burden borne by low- and middle-income host countries, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been seeking to expand pathways for refugees by relocating them to higher-income countries; as such, it put forward Canada’s program of private refugee sponsorship as a model to follow. Despite praise for Canada’s program, many countries hesitate to adopt it due to limited evidence on the integration outcomes of private refugee sponsorship. We address this knowledge gap by examining the case of Syrians resettled in a mid-sized city in Quebec, the only French-speaking province in Canada, using a mixed methods approach. We document the sponsorship experiences of Syrian refuges, and we estimate the effect of private vs. government sponsorship on their resettlement outcomes while controlling for pre-arrival characteristics. We find that private sponsorship offered refugees more diverse, intensive, enduring, and valued support compared to government sponsorship. Consistently with these results, our estimates show that private sponsorship could be an effective strategy for resettling refugees in medium-sized cities with respect to employment, housing, social networking, and a sense of belonging to the city, with the potential exception of acquiring the domestic language.

The uncounted and unseen challenges of refugee foster families in Kampala, Uganda

Uganda is known for its open-door policies towards refugees, currently hosting over 1.5 million refugees, 60–65% of whom are children. National self-reliance strategies grant refugees who live in urban settings freedom of movement and employment and expect them to be mostly self-sufficient in exchange. Families within the refugee community are fostering unaccompanied refugee children, as this is considered the best solution for them by the Ugandan state and international organisations. We used ethnographic and quantitative methods, including in-depth interviews, questionnaires and participant observation, to assess the living situation of refugee foster families in Kampala. Our sample included 52 foster families who were caring for a total of 289 children. The findings raised four overarching themes: (1) Circumstances and reasoning for fostering unaccompanied children; (2) Formalisation of explicit foster registration; (3) Differences in care and living conditions; and (4) Ambiguous organisational support. Fostering was either direct by family members or friends, or indirect through the intervention of a church or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) implementing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) but has never followed national processes to formalise fostering or adoption. Based on the self-reliance policies, refugee foster families in Kampala do not receive adequate support or supervision from any institution, and fostered children remain acutely vulnerable, especially since the economic crises related to Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine. We argue that the lack of recognition and financial and emotional support for foster families hinders community-based solutions. These conditions, coupled with the lack of proper supervision and control, encourage less altruistic fostering and more abusive and exploitative treatment of unaccompanied children.

Effect of households’ members disability and serious illness on public health insurance subscription among urban refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya

BackgroundThe adverse selection theory speculates a high level of demand for health insurance by people with vulnerable health conditions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the prevailing narratives and pattern of healthcare utilization in many African countries. This study estimated the effects of household member’s disability and presence of serious illness on the probability of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) subscription with the average treatment effect (ATE) and average treatment effect on the treated (ATET).MethodsThe data were collected telephonically in 2020 using the sampling frame of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR). The respondents were refugees with active phone numbers who were registered by the UNHCR in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru cities. A total of 2,438 completed the surveys. The data were analysed with Treatment Effects Probit regression model using the regression adjustment estimator.ResultsThe results showed that 24.89% of the respondents had health insurance. Also, 3.28%, 1.39% and 2.46%, respectively suffered from physical, cognitive and sensory disability, while 8.28% had some form of serious illness. The Probit regression results showed that probability of being health insured significantly increased (p < 0.05) with membership of community-based organizations (CBO), asset index, possession of bank savings account, residence in Nairobi and household size, while residence in Nakuru reduced it. The ATE for physical and cognitive disabilities were significant (p < 0.05) with 0.1100 and 0.1816, respectively, while that for serious illness was 0.1046 (p < 0.01). The ATET for physical disability and serious illness were also significant (p < 0.05) with 0.1251 and 0.0996, respectively.ConclusionIt was concluded that efforts to facilitate NHIF subscriptions among the refugees should be channelled among people with disability and serious illness. In addition, there is the need to promote refugees’ welfare through employment that can induce formal savings and promote less reliance on informal borrowing. The operational mechanisms and differences in healthcare service distribution between the three cities should be considered along some salient interventions for health insurance subscription that are channelled through some CBOs.

Epidemiology and response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Dadaab Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya, March 2020–December 2022

IntroductionRefugee settings may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and death, yet data on the response to the pandemic in these populations is scarce. MethodsWe describe interventions to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Dadaab Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya and performed descriptive analyses using March 2020 to December 2022 data from Kenya's national SARS-CoV-2 repository and line list of positive cases maintained by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We calculated case fatality rates (CFR) and attack rates per 100,000 (AR) using the 2019 national census and population statistics from UNHCR and compared them to national figures. ResultsSARS-CoV-2 infection was first reported in April and May 2020, among host community members and refugees respectively. Of 964 laboratory-confirmed cases, 700 (72.6 %) were refugees. The AR was 82.7 (95 % CI 72.6–92.8) for host community members, 228.3 (95 % CI 211.3–245.4) for refugees and 721.1 (95 % CI 718.7–723.5) nationally. The CFR was 1.5 % (95 % CI 0.15–3.18) for host community members, 1.76 % (95 % CI 1.71–1.80) nationally and 7.4 % (95 % CI 5.4–9.4) for refugees.Mitigation measures implemented by the Government of Kenya, UNHCR and partners during the pandemic included multisectoral coordination, movement restrictions, mass gathering bans, and health promotion. Social distancing, symptom screening and mandatory mask usage were enforced during mass gatherings. Testing capacity was bolstered, quarantine and isolation facilities established, and vaccination initiated. ConclusionsDespite a low AR and UNHCR's swift and comprehensive response, refugees' CFR was high, underscoring their vulnerability and need for targeted interventions during epidemic responses.

The impact of posttraumatic stress disorder and head injury on reactive and appetitive aggression in adult Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Refugees are highly vulnerable to mental health disorders and head injuries. The primary aim of this study is to examine the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and head injury on reactive and appetitive aggression in adult Syrian refugees in Lebanon. A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting adult Arab United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-registered Syrian refugees residing in Beirut and southern regions of Lebanon. Eligible refugees completed a battery of questionnaires including the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, the Trauma Events and Head Injury sections of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the Appetitive Aggression Scale. A total of 191 Syrian refugees participated in the study: 62.83% were females, and the mean age was 31.01 years (SD = 10.98). The severity of PTSD (adjusted B = 0.18, 95% CI [0.05, 0.31], p = .006), having experienced at least one head injury trauma event (adjusted B = 10.20, 95% CI [1.61, 18.79], p = .020), and the severity of somatic symptoms (adjusted B = 0.71, 95% CI [0.23, 1.20], p = .004) were significant risk factors of reactive aggression. As for appetitive aggression, males (females adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.06, 95% CI [0.02, 0.18], p < .001), younger individuals (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.91, 0.99], p = .024), and higher severity of somatic symptoms (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI [1.09, 1.32], p < .001) were significant risk factors. PTSD and head injury are independent risk factors for reactive aggression but not appetitive aggression in Syrian refugees in Lebanon, while the severity of somatic symptoms is an independent risk factor for both reactive and appetitive aggression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Refugee Rights and International Law: Evaluating the Efficacy of Global Humanitarian Responses to Forced Displacement

The increasing scale of forced displacement due to conflict, persecution, and environmental crises has brought refugee rights to the forefront of global humanitarian discourse. This article critically examines the efficacy of international law in protecting refugee rights and assessing global responses to the growing refugee crisis. Through an analysis of key international legal frameworks, such as the 1951 Refugee Convention and the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the study evaluates the adequacy of current policies in addressing the challenges faced by refugees. It highlights gaps in protection, such as unequal burden-sharing among nations, restricted access to asylum, and prolonged displacement in refugee camps. Case studies from various regions reveal how inconsistent application of international law undermines refugees’ access to fundamental rights, including safety, healthcare, and education. The article argues for stronger international cooperation, better policy implementation, and more robust legal mechanisms to ensure the protection of refugee rights. It concludes by offering recommendations for improving global humanitarian responses and creating more equitable and sustainable solutions for forced displacement.

Internal Flight Anarchy: Points of Divergence from UNHCR Guidelines in Canadian Decision Making

Abstract Over the years, Canadian decision makers have come to apply the concept of ‘internal flight alternative’ (IFA) more expansively than recommended by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Given the significant proportion of refugee claims that are refused on the basis of this concept each year, this divergence of interpretation has a real-life impact. To examine this phenomenon, the article provides a brief overview of the IFA concept, including a review of the scholarly literature and UNHCR guidance. Next, it traces the concept’s development in Canadian law and highlights points of divergence with UNHCR’s position. Finally, the article discusses potential strategies for realignment. The goal is to encourage practitioners and decision makers to think more deeply about the IFA concept, to raise awareness in regard to existing scholarship and applicable norms, and to ensure that these norms are applied in a conscious, humane, and consistent manner.

Mapping refugee populations at high resolution by unlocking humanitarian administrative data

BackgroundInforming local decision-making, improving service delivery and designing household surveys require having access to high-spatial resolution mapping of the targeted population. However, this detailed spatial information remains unavailable for specific population subgroups, such as refugees, a vulnerable group that would significantly benefit from focused interventions. Given the continuous increase in the number of refugees, reaching an all-time high of 35.3 million people in 2022, it is imperative to develop models that can accurately inform about their spatial locations, enabling better and more tailored assistance.MethodsWe leverage routinely collected registration data on refugees and combine it with high-resolution population maps, satellite imagery derived settlement maps and other spatial covariates to disaggregate observed refugee totals into 100-m grid cells. We suggest a deterministic grid cell allocation inside monitored refugee sites based on building count and a random-forest-derived grid cell allocation outside refugee sites based on geolocating the textual geographic information in the refugee register and on high-resolution population mapping. We test the method in Cameroon using the registration database monitored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.ResultsUsing OpenStreetMap, 83% of the manually inputted information in the registration database could be geolocated. The building footprint layer derived from satellite imagery by Ecopia AI offers extensive coverage within monitored refugee sites, although manual digitization was still required in rapidly evolving settings. The high-resolution mapping of refugees on a 100-m grid basis provides an unparalleled level of spatial detail, enabling valuable geospatial insights for informed local decision-making.ConclusionsGathering information on forcibly displaced persons in sparse data-setting environment can quickly become very costly. Therefore, it is critical to gain the most knowledge from operational data that is frequently collected, such as registration databases. Integrating it with ancillary information derived from satellite imagery paves the way for obtaining more timely and spatially precise information to better deliver services and enhance sampling frame for target data collection exercises that further improves the quality of information on people in need.

Navigating Vulnerability and Integration: Refugee Resettlement from Rwanda to Third Countries under the Medical Needs Category

Abstract Resettlement is a limited resource available to only a fraction of refugees. Selection criteria, set by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and receiving States, may impose conflicting demands on refugees to exhibit both vulnerability and integration potential to be chosen, a phenomenon termed “promising victimhood”. Drawing on empirical data from interviews with 21 personnel from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Save the Children International in Rwanda, this article explores how medical needs criteria impact the inclusion or exclusion of refugees for resettlement. It finds that the selection criteria favour refugees with treatable conditions and favourable prognoses, thereby excluding those with chronic or fatal illnesses or patients with poor life expectancy. The article argues that such criteria potentially undermine the humanitarian objectives of the resettlement programme by marginalising some of the most vulnerable individuals. It discusses the implications of these findings for global burden-sharing strategies and calls for strengthening the medical infrastructure in asylum countries. The article concludes by questioning whether resettlement, in its current form, can truly serve as one of the three durable solutions for refugees with medical needs, given that it remains an option for only a select few.

Surgical Care in Refugee Populations: Addressing the Unmet Needs and Overcoming Challenges

The global refugee population, currently estimated at 35.3 million by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is one of the most vulnerable groups in the world, facing daily threats of violence, conflict, and persecution. While international efforts to address these crises are ongoing, the increasing number of displaced individuals underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Among the myriad challenges refugees face, access to adequate healthcare remains a critical concern, particularly in the domain of surgical care.

Community Based Protection UNHCR In Realizing Community Security, Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia 2018-2021

The Rohingya refugees face significant challenges in seeking protection and security, both in their country of origin and in the countries where they seek refuge. In this context, the Community-Based Protection approach, promoted by UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) in Malaysia between 2018 and 2021, plays a crucial role in creating a protection system based on community involvement in the design and implementation of policies. This approach emphasizes the importance of community security, which relies on state structures and involving refugee communities in safeguarding their safety. From the perspective of Institutional Liberalism, the international system, driven by multilateral institutions like UNHCR, can play a key role in ensuring effective protection for refugees by facilitating cooperation between countries and other international actors. This study aims to analyze how the community-based and community security approach to the safety of Rohingya refugees can enhance their sense of security and trust within the larger system. It also explores the relationship between the theory of Institutional Liberalism and the policies implemented by UNHCR to protect this vulnerable group.

Exploring public opinions on Rohingya refugees residing in India: An empirical study

The Rohingya population is widely acknowledged as one of the most persecuted minority groups worldwide. The ongoing tripartite conflict involving the Rohingya, the Rakhine, and the Myanmar military has resulted in numerous clashes and massacres, leading to forced displacement. Countries such as Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, and India have recorded an influx of Rohingya immigrants. While extensive studies have been conducted on the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh, there has been a limited scholarly focus on the Rohingya in India. This article aims to fill this gap in the literature. It is important to note that India is neither a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention nor the 1967 Protocol, which addresses refugee status and protections, nor does it have a domestic refugee law. Consequently, refugees in India are not officially recognized as a distinct group and lack legal protection against exploitation and abuse. This situation leaves them vulnerable to various forms of mistreatment, including exploitation, violence, and limited access to employment, education, and healthcare. Although the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees designates the Rohingya as refugees, the current Bharatiya Janata Party government views this stateless community as illegal migrants and a perceived threat to India. This stance raises important questions: (i) How does the Indian population perceive and internalize this interpretation? (ii) What are their attitudes toward the Rohingya, and what policy options do they prefer? To address these inquiries, the authors of this article analyzed data from the Sinophone Borderlands Indo-Pacific Survey, a large-scale online survey organized by one of the authors. In addition, interviews were conducted with Rohingya individuals residing in India to gather firsthand perspectives.

Construction 4.0 in Refugee Camps: Facilitating Socio-Spatial Adaptation Patterns in Jordan’s Zaatari Camp

Though refugee camps are by definition “temporary”, many camps endure for decades, where individuals live full lives through childhood, marriage, children, grandchildren, and death. These settlements function no differently than cities in their social life, density, zoning, and operation, yet are “planned” through UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) templates for camps. The Zaatari camp in Jordan for Syrian asylum seekers, for example, holds a population of 80,000. Rather than viewing refugee camps as temporary human warehouses, this article demonstrates that camps are spaces where individuals build social networks and economic activities flourish. As such, the camp planning templates should include adaptive Construction 4.0 technologies for more socially flexible settlements, even if the camps are considered “temporary”. This case study research on the Zaatari camp illustrates how refugees adapt their built environment, identifying adaptation patterns that enhance both livability and sustainability. The work illustrates social and environmental changes that require adaptive housing configurations. The conclusion suggests linking modern tools in the construction industry to empirically derived planning objectives to be efficiently executed in moments of crisis.

The transformation of Jordan’s healthcare system in an area of conflict

BackgroundThe Jordanian healthcare system has evolved over the past decades expanding its services, technological, and educational resources. A comprehensive view of this system is lacking. The objective of this report is to describe the structure of the Jordanian healthcare system, the challenges facing it, and the current and recommended health policies.Materials and methodsThis study reviewed the current status of the Jordanian healthcare system. The following parameters were analyzed: health indicators, infrastructure, human resources, insurance system, pharmaceutical expense, health education system, and medical tourism. Data were collected from various relevant official institutions and related published literature.ResultsJordan has a young population with a median age of 23.8 years. Life expectancy is 78.8 years for females and 77.0 years for males. The Jordanian healthcare system is divided into three major categories: (1) Governmental Insurance (i.e., the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Royal Medical Services (RMS) and semi-governmental insurance); (2) Private Insurance; and (3) Refugee Insurance, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (NHUR). The Governmental Insurance covers 64.30% of the total population. Health expenditure is 6.37% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Pharmaceutical expenses make up 26.6% of the total national healthcare budget. Human resource assessment shows a high ratio of medical staff per 10.000 inhabitants, especially concerning physicians (31.7), dentists (7.9), and pharmacists (15.1). However, the ratio of nursing staff per 10.000 inhabitants is considered low (37.5). The Hospital bed/1000 population ratio is also relatively low (1.4). Healthcare accreditation is implemented through the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation which was achieved by 7 hospitals and by the National Health Care Accreditation Certificate (HCAC) achieved by 17 hospitals and 42 primary healthcare centers. Postgraduate medical education covers almost all medical and surgical fields. Medical tourism is currently well-established.ConclusionsAssessment of the Jordanian healthcare system shows high ratios of physicians, dentists, and pharmacists but a low ratio of nursing staff per 10.000 inhabitants. The hospital bed/1000 population ratio is also relatively low. Pharmaceutical expenses are significantly high and medical tourism is well-developed.

Universal institutional mechanism for ensuring the right to development

The article describes the institutional mechanism for ensuring the right to development at the international universal level. The functions and mandate of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Working Group on the Right to Development, the High-level Task Force on the Implementation of the Right to Development, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, etc. are described. It is noted that the right to development is the only human right specifically mentioned in resolution 48/141 of the UN General Assembly, by which it established the position of High Commissioner and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is highlighted the functions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in ensuring the right to development. It is described the mandate of the Working Group on the Right to Development, which includes: monitoring and analysis of progress made in the promotion and implementation of the right to development at the national and international levels, making recommendations and further analysis of obstacles to its full implementation; review of reports and any other information submitted by States, UN agencies, other relevant international organisations and non-governmental organisations on the relationship between their activities and the right to development, etc. It is noted that the High-level Task Force on the Implementation of the Right to Development was established within the framework of the Working Group on the Right to Development to assist it in fulfilling its mandate. It is stated that the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development contributes to the realisation of the right to development by developing practical guidance to implement the right and to integrate it within development policies and programmes at local, national, regional and international levels. The functions and mandate of the Special Rapporteur are highlighted. It is described the activities of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, which provides the Human Rights Council with thematic expertise on the right to development in searching for, identifying and sharing best practices with Member States and promotes the implementation of the right to development worldwide.

Sovereignty and the global migration crisis: Legal and humanitarian challenges

Migration as a phenomenon is recognized as a major global problem which challenges state sovereignty and international law. Triggered by inevitable, conflict, environmental issues, poverty, and political volatilities an estimated millions of people are forced to relocate, making it a legal and humanitarian crisis. A crucial conflict in this matter is between state autonomy over border control and state’s legal commitment to refugees and migrants under human rights law and the 1951 Refugee Convention. Despite the fact, some countries take responsibility with providing asylum, others focus on protection of their national interests using politico-legal measures such as, closed borders, detention centers and deportation. Using doctrinal sources and comparative case legal research involving the European Migration Crisis and the Mexican-American border countries this research maps out ways in which sovereignty affects states’ compliance with international migration treaty provisions and refugee protection regimes. The study also assesses international agencies, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and regional frameworks as the drivers of state conduct. In particular, the main concern of the dissertation is changing sovereignty in the context of globalization, and based on this, the legal, policy, and institutional measures to balance the national interests and humanitarian goals of the international community, the importance of collective actions and the effective implementation of international legal norms. The goal is thus to present coherent guidelines and strategies for enhancing less politicized and more efficient global migration governance arrangements.