The Human Rights of Migrants and Refugees in The Context of Climate-Induced Displacement.
Keywords:
.Abstract
Climate change has emerged as a significant driver of human mobility, contributing
to the displacement of millions of people across the globe. Environmental stressors
such as sea-level rise, desertification, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity
increasingly undermine livelihoods and compel communities to migrate. Despite
the growing scale of climate-induced displacement, existing international legal
frameworks offer limited protection to those forced to move for environmental
reasons. The absence of formal recognition for “climate refugees” under the 1951
Refugee Convention leaves many displaced persons without adequate legal
safeguards or institutional support. This study examines the human rights implications
of climate-induced displacement and evaluates the extent to which international
law and policy frameworks address the protection needs of migrants and refugees
affected by climate change. Drawing on a human rights-based analytical approach,
the study highlights the vulnerabilities experienced by displaced populations,
including threats to the rights to life, housing, water, health, and livelihood. It further
explores emerging legal and policy responses aimed at addressing protection gaps
within existing governance structures. The paper argues that integrating human
rights principles into climate migration governance is essential for ensuring justice,
dignity, and protection for affected populations, while also strengthening international
cooperation in responding to one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of
the contemporary era (Atapattu, 2020; Aleinikoff, 2024; Askland et al., 2022).
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