The dangers of cracking down on migrants

Restrictive migration policies are on the rise, with potentially damaging consequences for human rights and security.

A record-breaking 65.6 million people were displaced from their homes by conflict and persecution in 2016, according to the UNHCR. Rising migrant numbers have led to restrictive, security-oriented migration policies that exacerbate rather than solve problems. 

Framing migration as a security challenge leads to several problems, including the erosion of refugee protection regimes, portraying migration in a negative light, and potentially worsening extremist threats. 

This seminar will discuss responses to migration and argue for more nuanced, evidence-based approaches over ones that focus on security. 

Chair: Fonteh Akum, Senior Researcher, ISS Pretoria
Speakers:
Ottilia Anna Maunganidze, Head, Special Projects, ISS Pretoria 
Aimee-Noel Mbiyozo, Senior Researcher, Migration Programme, ISS


Picture: IOM/Juliana Quintero

Development partners
This event is made possible with funding from the German Federal Government. The ISS is also grateful for support from the following members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union and the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the USA.
Related content