Sign-on letter on human rights of migrants and refugees

April 21, 2020

Three research institutes are seeking signatories for a letter advancing international legal principles (due April 22). See below for Alex Aleinikoff’s description and link to the sign-on.

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Dear colleague:

As the world confronts the challenge of COVID–19, a number of important international legal principles are coming under strain, particularly as regards migrants, refugees, and displaced populations. Over the last several weeks, the Columbia Program on Forced Migration and Health, the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility (The New School) and the Cornell Migration and Human Rights Program have been working with a group of eminent legal experts to craft a statement of key international law principles that should guide policy-makers, public health workers, migrant and displaced communities, and advocates as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic response. The statement of principles is attached. Members of the Drafting Committee included: Alex Aleinikoff, Chaloka Beyani, François Crépeau, Joanne Csete, Guy Goodwin-Gill, Walter Kaelin, Ian Kysel, Jane McAdam, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Anna Shea, Leah Zamore, and Monette Zard.

We are reaching out to you today, to ask if you would agree to being a co-signatory of the statement. If so, please sign here. We ask that signatures be received by 5 pm EST on Wednesday, April 22. Please feel free to share with other colleagues.

In terms of the work ahead, we will disseminate the piece widely and look to have it published through media op-eds and blogs in key fora, and through webinars with advocacy and practitioner organizations.

We very much hope that you will agree to join us. In these challenging times, we believe that reiterating the importance of adherence to the rule of law and basic norms of human rights and refugee law is critical. We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Monette, Alex and Ian
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University Professor
Director, Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility

The New School

Room 1607,16th Floor, 79 5th Ave., New York, New York