EDITORIAL TEAM

Prof. Michael Barutciski
Editor-in-Chief

Ms. Nevena Dragicevic
Managing Editor

Ms. Julia Pyryeskina
Junior Editorial Assistant

Prof. Nergis Canefe
Book Review Editor

 

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Prof. Sharryn Aiken

Queen’s University

Prof. François Crépeau
McGill University

Dr. Jeff Crisp
UNHCR

Dr. Barbara Harrell-Bond
Fahamu Refugee Programme, Oxford

Prof. James Hathaway
University of Michigan

Dr. Judith Kumin
UNHCR

Prof. Michael Lanphier
York University

Prof. Susan McGrath
York University

Prof. Obiora Okafor
York University

Dr. Volker Türk
UNHCR

 

 

Call for Papers

 

Special 60th Anniversary Issue - Is the 1951 Convention Outdated?

Many commentators who criticise the alleged widespread abuse of the refugee protection system point to the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention as the source of the problem. Its supposed generosity constrains government actions and allegedly prevents the adoption of measures that would make the system more effective and efficient. If we consider developments in global modes of transportation and border controls, it becomes apparent that conditions have changed considerably since governments adopted this historic treaty following the Second World War. It is therefore not surprising that the Refugee Convention’s relevance has been questioned in recent years. Yet a closer look at the Convention reveals that it does not include anything relating to status determination procedures which constitute the most burdensome aspect of protection in many rich countries. It does not even guarantee a right to asylum for persecuted people who are granted refugee status. Have national procedures become inefficient because of the Convention or do other factors explain this situation?

The common response from advocates and academics suggests that any opening of discussions on the Refugee Convention will result in diminishing standards which will leave refugees with even less protection. Aside from legitimate fears about a general lack of solidarity and generosity, what specific forms of protection offered in the Convention risk being abandoned? Is there any fundamental right in this refugee treaty that would be threatened or that is not already covered in other areas of international law? Recent cases suggest courts have relied to a large extent on other human rights treaties to provide actual legal protection. What particular reasons lead advocates to prefer the status quo with regards to the Refugee Convention?

For its special issue on the 60th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, REFUGE invites submissions that explore the debate surrounding the relevance of this historic treaty. In particular, we are interested in papers that recognise the diverging assessments in order to propose approaches that might address current and future problems in a more effective manner.

Submission Deadline: April 30, 2012

 

 
Posted: 2012-01-17 More...
 

News: Issue 27.2: Higher Education for Refugees

 
Special Issue 27.2 of REFUGE: Higher Education for Refugees, is now in press! This exciting issue of REFUGE focused on higher education for refugees will be available in print at the end of December and available online early in 2012.  
Posted: 2011-12-13
 

News: Issue 27.1: General Issue ONLINE

 
Issue 27.1 of REFUGE is available online under the "current" section of our webpage!  
Posted: 2011-12-13
 
More Announcements...


ISSN: 1920-7336