Module descriptions

1. International Refugee Law and Human Rights

International Refugee Law and Human Rights module icon

The recognition of the right to freedom, justice and peace provides the foundation for the Human Rights instruments. The recognition of these rights further constitutes the basis for the right to seek asylum as well as the obligation of the State to try the individual’s asylum claim in a fair procedure. It is therefore essential for all officials working with the asylum procedure to have a basic knowledge of Human Rights concepts.

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Target group: Case officers, managers and policy makers.
Entry Level: Basic knowledge in asylum matters.
Available languages: English and Czech.

Content

This module provides knowledge on the broader refugee protection regime, on which EU asylum policy and legislation is based.

The following subjects are addressed:

  • Human Rights considerations in migratory movements and refugee protection.
  • The historical overview of major developments in international refugee law.
  • The definition of refugees in international instruments, the 1951 Geneva Convention in particular, and the interpretation challenges of the 1951 Convention
  • The importance of the principles: Nonrefoulement, non-discrimination and noncriminalisation of refugees.
  • Defining the notions of exclusion and cessation.
  • Status of recognised refugees in relation to the debate on the right to asylum.
  • The relevance of the 1951 Convention in a contemporary context.
  • Obligations of States under other Human Rights instruments such as CAT, ICCPR, CRC and others, but in particular the European Convention on Human Rights and its relationship to the 1951 Geneva Convention.
  • Subsidiary protection, definition and its relation to Human Rights instruments.

Objectives

At the end of the training participants will have gained knowledge in:

  • Human Rights aspects of migration processes.
  • The fundamentals of refugee protection in international law.
  • The key provisions of the 1951 Geneva Convention.
  • The relationship between the 1951 Geneva Convention and other Human Rights instruments.
  • The importance of Human Rights instruments for refugee protection and subsidiary protection

At the end of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Apply the key principles of refugee law.
  • Identify and assess situations where overlooking Human Rights aspects in dealing with refugees may result in non-compliance with international Human Rights instruments.

Methods

Self-studies online comprising case studies, exercises, self-assessment tests and written assignments, combined with a face-to-face session which goes further into the topics in discussions and group exercises.