event
Roundtable
Thursday
25
June

Externalization of Migration Governance: Perspectives from Research, Practice and Lived Experience

Co-organized by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and Global Migration Centre
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Auditorium A2, Geneva Graduate Institute and Online

An interdisciplinary roundtable on the report of Gehad Madi, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, on the externalization of migration governance.

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Background

In his latest report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/62/35), the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Mr. Gehad Madi, examines the growing reliance on the externalization of migration governance, building on his previous report to the General Assembly (A/80/302). Externalization refers to migration cooperation that aims at, or results in, shifting responsibility for migration and asylum processes away from externalizing States, through measures to prevent arrivals, process asylum claims outside a State’s territory, or remove migrants to third countries. The report highlights recent developments, notably return hubs and the expanding use of the safe third country concept, and examines the human rights risks associated with such arrangements. It underscores persistent concerns regarding transparency and accountability and explores questions of State responsibility and access to remedies for victims.

Format and objectives

The roundtable aims to foster an interdisciplinary exchange on the human rights implications of externalization and on strategies for enhancing transparency, accountability and access to remedies. It will bring together experts and practitioners from a range of backgrounds, including the United Nations, civil society, academia, journalism, and persons with lived experience of migration. Building on the findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur, the discussion will explore how externalization measures are monitored, documented, challenged and litigated in practice.

 

Agenda

Moderator: Vincent Chetail, Professor of International Law, Director of the Global Migration Centre

Presentation of the key findings of the report: Gehad Madi, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants

Panelists:

  • Patrick Eba, Deputy Director, Division of International Protection and Solutions, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees 
  • Maria Gavouneli, Professor, President of the  Greek National Commission for Human Rights (online)
  • Charles Heller, co-founder & president of Border Forensics, Swiss National Science Foundation, Professor at the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Bern  
  • Eleanor Acer, Senior Director, Global Humanitarian Protection, Human Rights First
  • Testimony online (TBC) 
  • OHCHR representative (TBC) 

Discussion

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