Global Refugee Crisis Review Monday – October 22, 2018

1951 UN Refugee Convention 1951 – diplomatic conference in Geneva adopted the Refugee Convention in response to the humanitarian crisis following both WWI and WWII. Signed by 145 countries. 1967 Protocol expanded time and geographic limits of 1951 agreement. Core principle – non-refoulement asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.

What is a refugee? The UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) defines refugees as ‘persons fleeing armed conflict or persecution’. Refugees are recognized and protected under international law, since returning to their home countries would directly endanger their lives.

What rights do refugees have under the 1951 Convention? non-refoulement The right not to be punished for illegal entry into the territory of a contracting State. The right to work housing Education public relief and assistance freedom of religion Access courts Freedom of movement with the territory Issued identity and travel documents.

What’s the difference between a refugee and a migrant? Reasons for leaving your home country. Migrant Refugee -employment -family reunification -education -enjoys protection of his or her own government even when abroad. -threat of persecution -threat to life -lack of protection from home country

Can someone be excluded from refugee protection? Persons excluded from refugee protection include: 1. “Climate refugees” 2. Internally Displaced Persons 3. Persons for whom there are serious reasons to suspect that they have committed a crime against peace a war crime, a crime against humanity or a serious non- political crime.

Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Persons forcibly relocated within their own country. Many are fleeing for the same reasons, but because they remain in their home countries they lack refugee status.

Background information on European Crisis 1.8 million refugees have arrived in Europe since 2014, more than 1 million of them in 2015 alone. Primary landing spots have included Italy, Greece and recently Spain. Germany, Sweden and the U.K. are some of the top destinations.

What are they fleeing from? 1. Syrian Civil War 2. Libya - Political power struggle 3. Afghanistan - Over four decades of war in Afghanistan 4. Iraq – ISIS and other armed conflict 5. Somalia - Al-Shabaab (Islamist extremist group) 6. South Sudan 7. Sudan 8. Democratic Republic of Congo 9. Central African Republic ***All areas devastated by armed conflict

How are they getting there? By Sea – Mediterranean and Aegean Sea By land – From Turkey through the Balkans

EU Response to Crisis The European Union’s response has varied from country to country. Hungary, Slovenia, Austria and Macedonia tightened their borders. Rise in right-wing, populist movements (anti-refugee). Germany and Sweden accepted a higher percentage of refugees per capita than other European countries.

EU makes agreement with Turkey EU attempted to decrease the flow of refugees when it struck a deal with Turkey. Anyone (refugee or migrant) that tried to cross from Turkey to Greece outside of proper channels would be sent back. For every Syrian sent back to Turkey, the EU would accept one legal refugee.

2017 - EU takes aim at the central Mediterranean route The EU provided monetary assistance to strengthen cooperation and support for transit countries like Turkey and Libya. These deals and border closures have helped cause dramatic declines in the overall flow of refugees and migrants to Europe by sea. Arrivals have fallen by nearly 85 percent.

Challenges that remain Finding ways to lower the number of displaced people worldwide, by preventing and solving the driving conflicts of this crisis. Continuing to resettle and process asylum seekers while maintaining national security and sovereignty. Addressing the challenge of “climate refugees” in addition to those fleeing violence.