Political Rights in Precarious Realities; A Socio-Legal Exploration of Syrian Refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan

Are political rights human rights for refugees too? How can non-citizens be political agents? With no intention of becoming citizens, or even long-term residents, in their country of asylum, how do these people participate in, confront, and change politics in the country of origin or asylum? Exactly which political activities are legitimate for refugees to engage in during exile and which activities are not, is a matter of controversy. The right to engage in political associations is a core standard in international human rights law, and it is the suppression of this right that often leads to refugee situations. At the same time, because it requires that refugees are to a certain extent 'non-political', the principle of the civilian and humanitarian nature of asylum may fundamentally restrict the political space of refugees. But how then does this principle, generally perceived as a protective norm, relate to ideas of refugee agency and self-determination? What is the role of international law when it comes to, on the one hand, giving voice to, and on the other, repressing the voices of, marginalized people on the move? It is these complex interactions that this project will study through on the one hand, existing legal standards, and, on the other, a socio-legal study of Syrian and Sudanese refugees in the Middle East.

To what extent, if at all, is the abstention from internationally significant political activities a condition attached to the granting of asylum? Is there an insurmountable conflict between respect for the (political) rights of refugees and the provision of asylum? Exactly which political activities are legitimate for refugees to engage in during exile and which activities are not, is a matter of controversy. The right to engage in political associations is a core standard in international human rights law, and it is the suppression of this right that often leads to refugee situations. At the same time, because it requires that refugees are to a certain extent 'non-political', the principle of the civilian and humanitarian nature of asylum may fundamentally restrict the political space of refugees. How, then, does this right to take part in political activities directed against the country of origin, relate to the non-political nature of asylum? It is this complex interaction that this project will study. A strength of the proposed research is that it innovatively combines an in-depth study of existing legal standards with a study of how these standards are reflected in State practice. While legal analysis will clarify applicable international law standards, legal sociology provides the lens for analyzing the implementation of such standards. Through comparative research on Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, this project seeks to study refugee political rights and activities in three highly political settings. Syrians constitute the world's largest refugee population and their political activities are apparent, ranging from organized political opposition groups, to armed opposition groups and various non-organized youth- and media activism. State responses towards such activities have varied from tolerance or support to harsh crackdowns. But how should the political rights of refugees be balanced in politically precarious realities?