Asylum and Refugee Law, 15 Credits

The course aims to present the legal framework of refugee and asylum issues and assess its evolution, through critical perspectives on asylum law in relation to refugees. The course does not concentrate on asylum law in a single country, but rather is multinational in order to provide an overview of the commonalities and conflicts within the global system. Students will gain a thorough knowledge of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the main regional conventions, and will then be able to delve deeper into an area of research and legislation.
Refugee and asylum law is discussed, through mainly international and European perspectives on the basic criteria for obtaining, denying and withdrawing refugee status, the development of the principle of non-refoulement and the standard of treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. Studies of the case law of international, regional and national courts and the actions of the UNHCR provide an understanding of how refugee and asylum law is interpreted and applied. Trends within international and regional systems and institutions (UNHCR, EU, OAS and AU) where different areas of law interact are also central, with trends towards an expansion of the refugee definition being studied.
Students work mainly independently but also in groups during the course, with both group and individual supervision taking place and progressing.

ECTS Credits

15 Credits

Level of education

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements (A1N)

School

School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences