Migration Law

Who can migrate? What are the conditions to move from one country to the other? How are the numbers of migrations evolving over the recent years? Migration is both an ancient and a contemporary question, as it always existed and will never stop. The course aims at analyzing the evolution of migration law and its main concepts, with numerous examples. In principle, each State is sovereign to give access to its territory, to grant a right of residence, to confer nationality or to remove migrants. However, this sovereignty is limited by, on the one hand, the respect of human rights and on the other, the integration of States in free movement schemes , such as the European Union. The analysis is completed by a concrete approach of the procedures and a theoretical questioning on the future . Whether you are a decision-maker, a judge, a lawyer, a human rights defender, a worker in a NGO or an IGO, you have to answer the complex questions related to migration. It requires precise theoretical and practical knowledge of national, regional and international law. This course will give you insights in the notions that govern States when dealing with migration.

• identify the actors (authors and subjects)
• identify the sources (normative, jurisprudential and doctrinal)
• use the appropriate legal terms, define who is a migrant and understand the tension between national, fundamental rights and regional integrations
• use the tools as a decision-making authority or when advocating for migrants
• analyze case law decisions of international, regional and national courts
• criticize or justify the reasoning of State authorities (administrative or judicial) in order to develop arguments in a decision or appeal
• question and imagine future challenges in the field of migration

• Having completed a first university cycle in law or equivalent studies in social sciences or social work studies (bachelor, LL.B) or having practical experience in human rights and/or migration law.