Asylum, Refugees

After briefly reviewing the historic and conceptual framework of (forced) migration the emphasis in the first part of the course will be on the evolving academic and judicial interpretation of the UN (Geneva) Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Theory and practice will be confronted. (Should a Kurdish freedom fighter/terrorist be recognised as a refugee?) The second part of the course narrows down its focus to the asylum related acquis of the European Union which seems to have an impact far beyond the region. The discussion of the rules in force will be followed by a look into the EU's plans and the implementation of the Stockholm programme.

No specific legal background is required. An elementary familiarity with the basic concepts of the sources of international law (treaties, customary law) is welcome. Attendance, participation (occasionally including a team report) and a final written exam are the basis of evaluation.