Afghan Mass Displacement: The American Response in Light of International Human Rights and Refugee Law, and the Need for International Cooperation to achieve a Satisfactory Solution

Abstract

This contribution addresses issues relevant to the legal status and treatment of evacuees from Afghanistan, many of whom are destined to the United States (US), but tem-porarily hosted in third countries. This concerns third countries having agreed on temporary hosting arrangements with the US, and lily pad countries in Europe and the Middle East, where evacuees are located in US military bases. Beyond, the future residence status of evac-uees paroled in the US remains uncertain. Against that backdrop, the contribution’s overall aim is to map out the pertinent international legal framework and apply it in the context of the US response to Afghan mass displacement, which also provides lessons for the broader subject of resettlement and humanitarian admission, and underscores the essential role of international cooperation for the protection of refugees and other vulnerable individuals on the move.

Keywords

• humanitarian admission
• refugee resettlement
• international refugee and human rights law
• international cooperation
• afganistan