Brief description:

Taking a critical feminist policy perspective, this thesis explores how in EU's policy communication and subsequent partner implementation, vulnerabilities are accounted for. Although it is well known that vulnerability, especially relating to gender inequality. is a well-established factor in the assessment of asylum applications, less is known about the return trajectory, where traditionally gender and other identity categories are deemed as unimportant. Within political-, sociological and socio-legal studies on the governance of migration, vulnerability is increasingly finding more salience, to the point where some even talk about a ‘vulnerability zeitgeist’. Using vulnerability theory and intersectionality, the thesis explores and traces how, from policy formulation and communications, to eventual implementation, vulnerabilities are taken into account to protect returnees for potential non-refoulement violations in times of accelerated asylum procedures and vast deportations, to the selection of those eligible for 'voluntary return assistance' and their chances for succesful reintegration in their countries of origin or third countries.

Methodology:

Keywords: EU Migration Law and Policy, external dimension, gender, implementation, NGOs, Return Directive, returns, Vulnerability, Vulnerability, Critical Frame Analysis

Home University:

Antwerp University

Faculty:

Faculty of Social Science

Supervisor: Petra Meier

Added to catalogue on: 26-02-2019

Additional information: