International Migration and Refugee Law

Module code: LW7147

This module will provide an introduction to international law principles governing international migration, including the European Convention on Human Rights and relevant aspects of EU law. We will examine the international law constraints upon the freedom of states to decide on the conferral of nationality (citizenship), and to control the entry and residence of foreign nationals. We will also address the rights of resident foreign nationals in international law, including their social and economic rights and the limits to the power of states to expel them for public order reasons. 

The module will also introduce international law relating to international protection, under both the Refugee Convention and human rights instruments. After examining the refugee definition and the Refugee Convention, we will pay particular attention to the ongoing 'refugee crisis' in Europe, including the relevant legal framework provided by the Common European Asylum System and the Dublin system determining the responsibility of EU Member States for examining asylum applications.