Asylum as Reparation: Refuge and Responsibility for the Harms of Displacement

This book argues that states have a special obligation to offer asylum as a form of reparation to refugees for whose flight they are responsible. It explores the conditions under which asylum should act as a form of reparation, the ethical implications of this approach, and how it presents an alternative to the dominant humanitarian approach to asylum.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 11 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book makes a compelling case that states have a unique responsibility to provide asylum as a form of reparation to refugees whose flight they have compelled. It underscores the immense significance of reparative justice and the underlying causes of contemporary forced migration in shaping our understanding of states' obligations towards refugees.

In Part I, the book presents an alternative perspective to the prevailing humanitarian approach to asylum in political theory and practice. It argues that this alternative view offers a more comprehensive and just framework for addressing the needs of refugees.

Part II delves into the conditions under which asylum should be considered a form of reparation. It posits that a state owes this form of asylum to refugees when it is responsible for the unjustified harms they endure, and when asylum is the most appropriate and effective means of redress available. The author further argues that asylum should be granted not only to those directly affected by conflict or persecution but also to their descendants and survivors, as a way of acknowledging the generational impact of forced migration.

Part III explores the ethical implications of this reparative approach to asylum for the functioning of states' asylum systems and the international politics of refugee protection. The book raises important questions about the responsibilities of states, the rights and dignity of refugees, and the need for collective action to address the global refugee crisis.

Overall, this book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about states' responsibilities towards refugees. It provides a thoughtful and nuanced analysis of the issues at hand, offering a compelling argument for a more reparative and inclusive approach to refugee protection.

Weight: 278g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030624507
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022