The Future of Europe as a Place of Refuge

Prague, 5 – 6 December 2019

Faculty of Law, Charles University

Several years ago, scholars nicknamed the EU “Fortress Europe”, drawing attention to the continuing “securitization” of migration and refugee issues. The same holds even more true today. Non-entry strategies apply extensively across Europe and were strengthened after the 2015 refugee/migration inflow by the 2016 EU-Turkey agreement. Public discourse in certain European countries has become increasingly hostile when it comes to offering international protection. Countries of the global North focus in general on the protection of their borders and often use a securitized language when they discuss legal norms that apply to refugees. These measures mark a shift away from the human rights conception of refugee protection towards an emphasis on security. It means, inter alia, that a conflict between state sovereignty and human rights becomes even more apparent.

The main issue to be addressed at this conference is the future of Europe as a place of refuge. Given that only a small number of refugees may enter, how is Europe going to participate in solving the large and ever growing refugee situations around the globe? Some of those fleeing their countries of origin may try to apply for a visa as in the X and X v État belge ECJ case or in the M.N. and others v. Belgium case before the ECtHR. Others could hope for resettlement. Yet, could any of these options constitute a real and viable solution? Some Western states would not consider single men for resettlement, but families only. Visas for applying for protection are not being issued. How will refugees reach Europe in the future and how will the societies receive them? Most importantly, how will the societies receive them if they come in large numbers? Could resettlement be the answer? And if so, under what circumstances?

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you in Prague in December!

Dr. Věra Honusková and the conference team

Conference-Related Events Invitation

We invite you to participate in the following conference related events

International workshop on Teaching Refugee and Migration Law (Charles University in Prague, 6 – 7 December 2019)

International workshop Universal and Regional Systems of Human Rights Protection: Migration – Ancient, Recent or Constant Challenge within Human Rights Protection? (Palacký University in Olomouc, 2 - 3 December 2019)