Migration-medley 2017

An estimated 11 million Syrians have fled their homes since March 2011. Of these, more than five million have sought refuge in neighboring states, and approximately one million have reached Europe. The situation for many of these refugees has been, and continues to be, dire. Over 5000 people died during the hazardous journey across the Mediterranean in 2016. In neighboring countries such as Jordan and Lebanon, refugees face a number of serious human rights concerns that are often related to a precarious legal and social situation.

This migration-medley with three 30-minute lectures offers a snapshot into exciting new ideas and research on the history of migration and displacement in this region; on contemporary protection challenges facing those fleeing Syria today; and on how to best provide asylum to those who seek refuge in countries non-signatory to the key refugee protection instruments.

Panel:

• Benjamin T. White (University of Glasgow), Refugees in Syria, Syrian refugees: then and now
• Dallal Stevens (University of Warwick), Seeking asylum: Syrian refugees and the European dream
• Martin D. Jones (University of York), The Law of Asylum: Refugee legal aid in the Middle East and Asia

Moderator:
Maja Janmyr (UiB)

Discussant:
Sarah Tobin (CMI)

Photo: Lynsey Addario