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Fragmented Refuge: it’s time to rebuild the case for humanity
Government & Politics
21st annual Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen International Law Lecture
Speaker: Professor Catherine Briddick, Andrew W Mellon Associate Professor of International Human Rights and Refugee Law, Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford
In the immediate postwar period, the United Nations showed a seemingly boundless capacity to promote human rights and the cause of humanity. This was shown through the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, in the same month exactly seventy five years ago, the creation of the Offices of the UN High Commission for Refugees and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine. That capacity appears to have been lost. Today’s international protection regime is not one of unity of purpose, rather the creation of islands of self-interest. The primacy of international law is being challenged as never before. It is time to stand up for humanity.
In her lecture to mark the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Professor Briddick roots the international legal protection of refugees in the tension between their differential and discriminatory treatment. She also explores access to protection and the enforcement of international refugee law. Finally, Professor Briddick draws on the experiences of those involved with UNHCR and drafting the Convention, including personal experiences of displacement, to consider the ability of institutions and instruments to respond to contemporary challenges.
This annual lecture is jointly hosted by the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS, University of London; the Bar Council of England and Wales; and the Westminster United Nations Association.
Admission is FREE and all are invited to join us for a wine reception following the Question and Answer session which will end at 7.45pm.
