INTERNATIONAL STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRANTS

Abstract

In the light of the current migration crisis, there is an increasing need for examining main causes of migrations. This paper contains a conceptual analysis of the notion “environmental migrants”, a newly established category of persons being in a need of specific international protection. Following the elaboration on two empirical examples supporting the fact that this is indeed an ongoing and contemporary problem at international scene, the author considers whether proposed terms are able to appropriately address the group in question, thus putting forward a definition of the concept, as these are regarded as initial steps towards creating a distinct legal framework and an adequate protection of such particularly vulnerable group. Additionally, the second part of the paper is revealing some of the present-day international legal mechanisms which might serve as a solution to this problem, as well as several proposals de lege ferenda. Ultimately, it can be concluded that there is a need for special protection of those who migrate due to environmental factors, as well as that it is the common interest of the entire international community to tackle this problem before it is too late.

Keywords

• International Law
• Environmental migrants
• Environmental refugees
• Human Rights
• Environmental Law