Introduction to Comparative Refugee Law

An unprecedented 65.6 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 22.5 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. The legal regime that responds to this humanitarian crisis is found in international, regional and national law. This course will study international conventions, European Union regulations, and the statutes and case law of the United States and several other countries. Students will learn about refugee status determination processes conducted by the UN and the US. Current events and situations will be examined to achieve a greater understanding of the humanitarian aspirations and the inadequacies realities of refugee law.