Human Rights and Migration

Europe Grapples with Child Marriage 0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 29/12/2016
Amid the substantial increase in child marriage as a negative coping strategy to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, European nations are scrambling to find sustainable response to the influx of child brides. Recent cases involving de-facto or de-jure recognition of child marriage in Member States that ban such unions have not only triggered concern on the lack of protective measures for child brides, but also demonstrated that addressing child marriage is not at all a straightforward endeavor.
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New European border management – the human cost 0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 19/12/2016
According to the speeches on the inauguration day of the newly re-shaped Frontex agency, it seems that the European Union has found the best antidote to the migration challenge so far: the novelty has been labelled a “milestone” in the history of border politics and solidarity between Member States. But Frontex’ new aims focus foremost on control and monitoring, whilst little is said about the asylum system and the refugees’ rights.
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Afghanistan – a safe third country?0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 13/12/2016
Recently the EU and the government of Afghanistan signed a readmission agreement, a deal made ‘migration sensitive’ as it transpires from an EU Restricted Country Fiche proposing possible leverages, dated March 2016. The EU pledges to provide financial aid for development and peace-building in exchange for Afghanistan’s approval to admit back failed asylum seeking nationals. Does this deal align with the principle of ‘non-refoulement’? Is Afghanistan a safe third country?
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Women trafficking and the US’s worrisome silence 1
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 06/12/2016
“Trafficking? Here? In the United States?” I fear this would summarize the majority’s response. While human trafficking is well-known around the world, the United States is falling behind in awareness and lacks a unified approach towards its prevention. Strong commitments do exist at the community level, but these tend to function independently or have little financial support –a reflection of missing systematic plans to stop human trafficking within US borders altogether.
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Women in Tunisia: A democratic façade or a civil society’s struggle?0
- Human Rights and Migration, International Relations and Global Affairs, Op-ed
- 05/12/2016
In the last couple of years, women’s rights have improved in the Middle East and North African Region, especially in terms of freedom and participation. After the Arab Spring, the representation of women in Parliamentary Assemblies has increased in almost all countries of the region. In Tunisia, women have played a major role in the uprisings to stand for their rights, and then voted en masse in the elections of 2011 and 2014. However, the efforts put in the revolts only led to political promises, rather than reality.
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The power of people: A victory for Polish women and human rights 0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 01/12/2016
Coming from a Catholic country where 7 out of 10 doctors are conscientious objectors, I followed the debate on abortion in Poland with passion, and hope. Hope for the protest of 30.000 people who went out onto the streets in early October, and managed to save Polish women from what felt like a medieval backlash.
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