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Call for Papers "Forced Migration: Human Rights Challenges" 4th Annual Conference Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (CARFMS) Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, McGill University Montreal (Canada) 11-13 May 2011 __________________________________________________ Over the past decades, States have reinforced security-related migration policies in the name of preserving the integrity of their territory and immigration and asylum systems. In order to control migratory movements, a series of measures have been undertaken such as interception operations, visa policies, increased detention, excessive penalties for migrant smuggling and forced removals. The securitization of migration has resulted in the perception of the foreigner, and especially the asylum-seeker and the irregular migrant, as a category outside the circle of legality. Restrictions imposed upon forced migrants’ basic political and civil rights have been accompanied by major obstacles to their access to economic and social rights. International cooperation which enhances the creation of security-oriented common norms and mechanisms contributed to the legitimization of practices which lower refugee protection standards and increase the vulnerability of asylum-seekers. These developments contradict the basic premises of the human rights paradigm: the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. In fact, according to constitutional, regional and universal standards dedicated to the promotion of rights and freedoms, States are under the obligation to protect the fundamental rights of all persons on their territory. The deterioration of forced migrants’ human rights tests the limits of the Rule of Law and threatens the foundations of social justice. The 2011 CARFMS Conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, displaced persons and advocates from diverse disciplinary and regional backgrounds to discuss the human rights of migrants in the context of national and international security policies. We invite participants from a wide range of perspectives to explore the practical, experiential, policy-oriented, legal and theoretical questions raised by security regimes at the local, national, regional and international levels. The conference will feature keynote and plenary speeches from leaders in the field, and we welcome proposals for individual papers and organized panels structured around the following broad subthemes: - Current trends and challenges in human rights protection of forced migrants: Forced migrants are among the most vulnerable components of our society. Refugees, asylum-seekers, irregular migrants, internally displaced persons are facing serious obstacles in accessing justice and effectively exercising their fundamental rights. Critical analysis of recent trends and developments contributes to a better understanding of the human rights challenges. What are the changes in institutional and procedural arrangements to deal with refugee and asylum claims? How do local, regional and international mechanisms and logics transform the discourse, norms, policies and practices related to forced migrants? What are the consequences of these changes in terms of the human dignity and human rights of forced migrants, whose differential experiences are shaped by gender, age, ability, class and ethnicity?. - Human rights and durable solutions to forced migration: The promotion and effective protection of fundamental rights offer a durable solution for the improvement of forced migrants’ condition. The development of substantive and procedural standards within national and international human rights systems reinforces migrants’ status as holders of rights. The strength and the limits of rights-based approach as a durable solution need to be further explored. What are the nature and scope of rights-based solutions? How do international and local actors, institutions and agencies promote the legal, economic and social inclusion of forced migrants? - New approaches and theories in forced migration studies: Innovative approaches and theories developed within traditional disciplines or in interdisciplinary lines foster knowledge on current norms, policies and practices linked to migrants’ rights. Theories like legal pluralism offer new avenues for the exploration of concepts such as territorial sovereignty, borders, humanitarianism and belonging to a group. How do new methods and theories highlight forced migration issues, including: the link between human mobility and security in an era of globalization; the limits of differential treatment based on citizenship or immigration status; restrictive regulation of the freedom of movement of forced migrants; and, the categorization and hence legal status of ‘forced’ vs. ‘voluntary’ migration? Pre-conference workshops/networking A number of pre-conference workshops and networking sessions will take place the day before the conference. More information on pre-conference workshops/session will be available on conference website in February 2011. Submission of Abstracts Individuals wishing to present a paper at the conference must submit a 250-word abstract and 100-word biography by December 1st, 2010. The conference organizers welcome submissions of both individual papers and proposals for panels. Please submit your abstract via the conference website: http://carfmsconference.yorku.ca Contact: Idil Atak Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism McGill University Chancellor Day Hall 3644 Peel Street Montreal, QC, H3A 1W9 Canada Email: [email protected] Web: http://carfmsconference.yorku.ca __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
