Refugee Rights Lab
Students conclude the first edition of the “Refugee Rights Lab” at the Centro di Ateneo per i Diritti Umani Antonio Papisca
On June 23rd, the Refugee Rights Lab 2024 came to a close at the UNIPD Human Rights Centre (Centro di Ateneo per i Diritti Umani Antonio Papisca). This first edition of the 3-week Lab, brought together 12 second-year students of the master’s degree in Human Rights and Multilevel Governance, including refugees, from 10 countries and with diverse academic backgrounds.
They deployed efforts on two initiatives, relating to the principle of non-refoulement:
- a research/mapping on the role of national human rights institutions (NHRI) in upholding that principle and refugee rights. The commitments and relevant actions of a panel of 20 these institutions - enjoying A-status and operating in contexts where violations of non-refoulement and risks thereof are often on the rise - were explored. A note for publication, to be edited, will capture key findings, standing gaps and innovative practices.
- a situation update and analysis of the deportations and returns carried out since last year in Pakistan, and directly affecting large numbers of Afghan nationals. A brief submission to the UN Human Rights Committee should follow, to inform the Committee’s upcoming review, scheduled to take place later this year in Geneva, at its 142th session (October-November 2024).
Based on contributions from academics and practitioners, and drawing from their own experiences, participants also reflected on current policy matters such as “externalization” of asylum and detention practices; guarantees in status determination procedures (including children’s right to express their views, and standards for “country of origin information” (COI); challenges in securing refugees’ access to key rights such as education and health. Refugee participation was also in focus as an emerging norm and condition for sound public policies, at various levels.
The students in the picture, from left to right: Luwam Mebrahtu Gebrehwet, Eleonora Piti, Sara Farasat Isabela, Mariama Jarju, Antoine Meyer (Coordinator & Supervisor), Isabela Gois Duarte, Anurada Sen, Alaa Douab, Thayna Ferreira Malta, Francesca Cristiano, Sterre Krijnen, Kaja Paulin - Liza Filippova (absent).