Migration and human rights: The law as a reinforcer of gendered borders

Published date01 December 2019
Date01 December 2019
DOIhttp://doi.org/10.1177/0924051919884750
Subject MatterIntroduction
Introduction
Migration and human rights:
The law as a reinforcer
of gendered borders
Eva Brems
Ghent University, Belgium
Lourdes Peroni
Sheffield Hallam University, UK
Ellen Desmet
Ghent University, Belgium
Abstract
Borders follow migrants even inside the territory of their State of destination. These ‘sticky’ fig-
urative borders may flow directly from immigration norms and practice or indirectly from other
areas of law. This Special Issue focuses on the gendered nature of these borders, as they rely on/
reinforce socially constructed norms of masculinity and femininity. As a result, these figurative
borders undermine the equal enjoyment of human rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
along gender lines. Specifically, gendered borders are analysed in relation to the themes of asylum,
domestic labour and gender-based violence. The human rights of migrants, refugees and asylum
seekers in these domains are analysed in an integrated and complex fashion. The analysis
demonstrates that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers navigate and challenge not only sticky
figurative borders, but also borders between different areas of law. The (non)interaction between
these different areas of law may equally create or reinforce unequal human rights protection along
gender lines. The law, across different areas and through the workings of diverse categories,
definitions and standards, may thus work as a border-reinforcer.
Keywords
borders, gender, human rights, migration
Corresponding author:
Lourdes Peroni, Human Rights Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent Campus, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK.
Email: l.peroni@shu.ac.uk
Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights
2019, Vol. 37(4) 282–287
ªThe Author(s) 2019
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/0924051919884750
journals.sagepub.com/home/nqh
NQHR
NQHR

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT