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This paper attempts to shed light on some of the core issues surrounding family reunification. In doing so, it examines the family in a forced migration context and engages in a discussion of the nature of the family to identify who is being reunified. Additionally, it looks at family reunification from an international law perspective and asks: Is there an international legal right to family reunification? On what basis does such a right rely? How expansive is it? To explain the reluctance of states to acknowledge reunification rights, this paper also discusses the political aspects of reunification and situates in within the wider context of immigration. Finally, this paper examines alternative approaches to family reunification, to re-centre it within a rights optic.

More information

Type

Working paper

Publisher

Refugee Studies Centre

Publication Date

12/2008

Volume

51

Total pages

41