The Intelligence from The Economist Borderline disorder: the UN’s refugee treaty at 70
Jul 28, 2021
Brooke Unger, a migration specialist at The Economist, and Sam Colbert, the Canada correspondent, discuss the inadequacies of the 70-year-old UN Refugee Convention amid the current refugee crises. They highlight the challenges for asylum seekers in Europe and the shifting political landscape regarding refugees. Colbert also explores Vancouver’s bold proposal to decriminalize drug possession, a response to alarming overdose rates, while examining local activism and public health implications. The conversation is a compelling blend of humanitarian issues and innovative policy responses.
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Declining Support for Refugee Convention
- The UN Refugee Convention, adopted 70 years ago, faces declining support in the rich world.
- This is despite the convention's core principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to dangerous countries.
Refugee vs. Migrant
- Distinguishing between refugees seeking shelter and economic migrants seeking better lives is a complex challenge.
- This distinction is highly politicized, particularly in countries like the US and Britain, where immigration is a contentious issue.
EU-Turkey Deal
- A Somali couple trying to reach Greece from Turkey were intercepted by the Turkish coast guard and returned.
- This demonstrates the EU-Turkey deal's impact on reducing refugee flows to Europe.