The Asylum and Refugee Law course by Université catholique de Louvain provides a comprehensive introduction to the legal frameworks that govern the protection of refugees and asylum seekers. It focuses on the core principles of international and regional refugee law, enabling learners to understand how legal systems respond to forced displacement.
A key part of the course is the analysis of foundational legal instruments, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. Learners explore essential concepts such as the definition of a refugee, the principle of non-refoulement, and the rights granted to individuals seeking international protection. The course also examines how asylum procedures function in practice, including how claims are assessed and decided.
Through case studies and applied examples, participants develop legal reasoning skills and learn how to interpret case law, evaluate evidence, and assess the credibility of asylum claims. The course also addresses contemporary challenges such as mixed migration flows, restrictive policies, and emerging issues like climate-related displacement.
Overall, the course equips learners with a solid legal foundation to analyze and engage with asylum and refugee law in professional, academic, or policy contexts.
