Climate Justice and its Deportments on Migration, Refugeeness, and Human Trafficking: A Western Democracy Perspective
Adeleye Lewis Olatunji, MSc, MA, PhD(c) | September 20 | 9:45-10:45 am
Topic: Research, International | Knowledge Level: Advanced
Climate change is an insistent global threat and is projected to continue its multiple surprises on the environment and society in various circumstances around the world. As the arguments for what should be considered the right response by the states continues to generate complexities (McAdam, 2020). More migrants and refugees are met with disenfranchising policies and stances around the world, especially in the western democracies. While theoretical progress and resolutions are being achieved to make polluting countries more accountable to tackle climate emergencies (Lakhani, 2023), it does not disavow that climate injustice disproportionately affects marginalized groups, resulting in forced migration, the displacement of people, as well as augmented vulnerability to human trafficking and mistreatments. A qualitative approach was employed to identify the effects of climate justice on migration and refugees, as well as the implications of stringent border security and immigration policies. Relevant articles were selected and analyzed to provide academic evidence and reliable data for the study. The typology of “refugeeness” and racial affiliations of migrants are constantly weaved by western asylum institutions to exclude migrants in the occidental arena. This presentation examines the extent to which the asylum administration in western democracies is fair and equitable for every migrant or refugee and contends that racial prejudices prevalent in the system make certain groups more vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion. The findings posit that the deficiency of equity in the dispensation of asylum generates an environment that extends inequality, exploitations, and fails to serve as a leveler for all migrants.
Presentation Objectives:
· Investigate the degree to which racial biases exist within the asylum administration procedure in Western democracies and how they shape the outcomes for different groups of migrants
· Analyze the ways in which political discourse and media exposure of immigration and refugees in Western democracies shapes public attitudes and policy outcomes
· Discuss the impact of current changes in immigration programs and border control measures