The Effects of the Changing World Order on the Protection of Displaced Persons and Migrants

Talk Back 5-1, Special ICVA Conference Issue on the Theme and Sub-themes

ICVA Conference Speeches

A number of policies have been implemented in many countries following 11 September 2001 that curtailed a number of rights and freedoms in the name of security. The results of these regulations, as well as of government policies in response to the “war on terror,” have had particularly serious implications for refugees, internally displaced persons, asylum-seekers, and migrants. How can the curtailment and erosion of the rights of displaced persons and migrants be tackled? What can be done to end the negative attitude that is prevailing in too many cases towards these groups of people? What role can NGOs play in the field when working with displaced persons and migrants, in terms of their protection, and at the international level, in terms of trying to influence policy changes?