The Enemy at the Gates: International Borders, Migration and Human Rights

• Main Authors: Pia Oberoi, Eleanor Taylor-Nicholson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2013-07-01
• Series: Laws
• Subjects: migration; immigration; border control; human rights; security; migrant smuggling; criminalization; irregular migrants; OHCHR
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/2/3/169

This article considers contemporary border management regimes from a human rights perspective. It demonstrates how a preoccupation with border controls and enforcement has led to serious concerns for the safety and protection of migrants. As border zones have expanded, border crossing has become a more stigmatized and dangerous activity, and even as globalization has given rise to easier and faster international travel, for some, such movement has been outlawed and stigmatized. Measures to strengthen and “secure” borders have paradoxically made migrants, particularly irregular and vulnerable migrants, more at risk of violence and exploitation by non-State and State actors. Migration governance regimes at international borders are thus increasingly located within security and enforcement frameworks that pay little attention to the principles and standards of international human rights law. The paper argues that a human rights-based approach to such regimes is urgently needed, in order to address a growing human rights crisis at international borders.