What motivated you to join the Centre in particular?

I spent a very productive stay at the Centre as a Visiting Fellow in 2024 and was motivated by the Centre’s stimulating research environment, which offers the opportunity to engage with leading global experts across the field of migration studies on research at the forefront of academic and policy debates. My project is framed from the disciplinary perspective of international law, in which Prof. Vincent Chetail - the director of the Centre - is a prominent specialist, and I very much appreciate the interest he took in my research topic and in supporting my application for the SNSF Ambizione grant, as well as the Centre’s support in setting up and hosting the project.

More broadly, why did you choose to come to the Institute?

The Institute was an ideal choice because of its intellectually inspiring environment which allows for engagement across disciplines, as well with policy and practice on issues relevant to my research, especially thanks to its location here in Geneva. The renowned expertise within the International Law Department – especially in terms of going beyond traditional state-centric and territorialized notions of international law and examining its role regarding the most crucial global issues – is important for my project, and I value the Department’s backing of the project, as well as the cooperation of the research office in the application process.

Could you tell us about your research project?

My research project focuses on the legal responsibilities of actors other than the territorial state in resolving the situation of internally displaced people (IDPs). IDPs are the over 80 million people worldwide who have been obliged to leave their homes by conflicts, violence, disasters, etc., but - unlike refugees or asylum-seekers - remain within their country of nationality or habitual residence. IDPs are considered to have found a durable solution to their situation when they no longer have displacement-related needs and can enjoy their rights equally with the rest of the population. This is usually linked to their return, resettlement or integration in place within the country.

The primary responsibility to establish the conditions and provide the means for durable solutions lies with the territorial state (that is, the state where internal displacement has occurred). However, in practice, a range of other potentially influential actors – such as other states, international organisations, businesses, or NGOs – may be involved in working towards solutions, or may be called on to do so. Other actors – including de facto authorities or armed groups – may also have a significant impact on solutions because of their control over relevant territories, infrastructures, or service provision. These are the various types of actors which I consider as “actors beyond the territorial state” for purposes of this project.

What they have in common is their (potential) role and influence in durable solutions processes, and the fact that their resopnsibilities in this regard may not be entirely captured by the laws of the territorial state because of their international or transnational nature – or in the case of de facto authorities or armed groups, because they are viewed as illegal in domestic law. Hence, the need to examine this issue in terms of international law – which I consider ever more important for all those interested in human dignity, equality and flourishing to reinforce and reassert as a common reference point, at all levels and in whichever sphere of activity we can.

Which central issue/research question does it address?

My research project will focus on conceptualising and delineating the potential responsibilities of these different actors towards affected populations, and especially IDPs, specifically in connection with establishing the conditions and providing the means for durable solutions to internal displacement.

Besides exploring the conceptual bases of these responsibilities, the project will systematically analyse documents evidencing the relevant commitments and practices of states and other actors in this domain, across regions and displacement contexts. The analysis will be able to contribute to understanding which obligations may be emerging, as well as evidencing trends in practice which indicate how the law may need to evolve or respond, or which may inspire cross-pollination across contexts. It may also be read through other lenses to understand how actors beyond the territorial state may be involved in shaping parameters and expectations for their engagement with displaced populations, and how this interacts with the state’s primary responsibility and the rights and agency of IDPs and other affected people.

All of the above is in the interest of understanding which parameters to establish for various actors’ involvement in working towards solutions; clarifying complementary responsibilities within the framework of a human rights-based approach to resolving displacement; and potentially developing various accountability channels, towards the central objective of endeavouring towards the rights of IDPs and other affected populations being respected, protected and fulfilled.