Discrimination and Delegation: Explaining State Responses to Refugees

The variety of responses that states adopt toward different refugee groups is explained by the two-part theoretical framework developed by Lamis Elmy Abdelaaty. This framework suggests that policymakers in refugee-receiving countries weigh international and domestic concerns when deciding how to handle refugees. Abdelaaty analyzes asylum admissions worldwide and examines three case studies in-depth to demonstrate how foreign policy and ethnic identity shape reactions to refugees.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Refugees face a range of responses from states, depending on various factors such as the political context, economic interests, and cultural attitudes. Some states may grant protection to refugees, allowing them to live where they wish, work, and access essential services. Others may turn away refugees, detaining them in camps or refusing them entry. Some states may impose restrictions on refugees, such as limiting their movement or denying them access to education or healthcare.

The reasons for these different responses are complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, states may prioritize their own security and stability by restricting the entry of refugees, particularly those who may pose a threat to national security. On the other hand, states may also have economic interests in welcoming refugees, as they can contribute to the workforce and stimulate economic growth. Additionally, cultural attitudes towards refugees can play a role in determining how states respond. Some cultures may view refugees as a burden or a threat, while others may see them as an opportunity for cultural exchange and integration.

The selective exercise of sovereignty by states towards refugee rights is a topic of significant interest and debate. Some scholars argue that states should have a greater responsibility to protect refugees and should not delegate their oversight to the United Nations. Others argue that states have legitimate reasons for restricting refugee entry and that the UN should play a more significant role in managing refugee crises.

In his book, "Why States Sometimes Assert Their Sovereignty Vis-à-vis Refugee Rights and at Other Times Seemingly Cede It by Delegating Refugee Oversight to the United Nations," Lamis Elmy Abdelaaty develops a two-part theoretical framework to explain this selective exercise of sovereignty. The first part of the framework examines the international factors that influence states' decisions to assert or cede their sovereignty towards refugee rights. The second part examines the domestic factors that influence states' decisions to delegate refugee oversight to the UN.

According to Abdelaaty, policymakers in refugee-receiving countries weigh international and domestic concerns when making decisions about refugee policy. On the international level, policymakers may decide to offer protection to refugees from a rival country in order to undermine the sending country's stability, saddle it with reputation costs, and even engage in guerilla-style cross-border attacks. On the domestic level, policymakers may consider political competition among ethnic groups, welcoming refugees who are ethnic kin of citizens can satisfy domestic constituencies, expand the base of support for the government, and encourage mobilization along ethnic lines.

When these international and domestic incentives conflict, the state shifts responsibility for refugees to the UN, which allows policymakers to placate both refugee-sending countries and domestic constituencies. This selective exercise of sovereignty is not without its challenges, however. The UN has been criticized for its inability to effectively manage refugee crises and for its reliance on donor funding. Additionally, the treatment of refugees by some host countries has been criticized for being harsh and inhumane, leading to calls for greater accountability and oversight.

In conclusion, the variety of responses that states adopt toward different refugee groups is a complex and multifaceted issue influenced by a range of international and domestic factors. While some states may prioritize their own security and stability by restricting the entry of refugees, others may have economic interests in welcoming them. Cultural attitudes towards refugees can also play a role in determining how states respond. The selective exercise of sovereignty by states towards refugee rights is a topic of significant interest and debate, and it is essential to consider the ethical and humanitarian implications of these decisions.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197753385