Abstract

Human rights discourse has become central to the global debates about treatment of and solutions for refugees and displaced persons. Following the expansion of rights-oriented terminology generally, advocates for displacees have increasingly framed their arguments in human rights terms. Many believe that human rights discourse can help mobilize humanitarian solutions for people fleeing violence and persecution. However, we argue that the backlash against human rights institutions and organizations within some communities may render this strategy ineffective and even reinforce exclusionary attitudes among host communities. Based on socio-legal analysis of the refugee label and human rights discourse within Israeli society, we demonstrate how the strategic use of this terminology by pro-refugee NGOs portrays displacees as a security and identity threat to local communities. We suggest alternative framings that might better achieve advocates’ goal of protection.

摘要

人权话语已成为关于难民和流离失所者的待遇和解决方案的全球辩论的核心。随着以权利为导向的术语的普遍扩展，流离失所者的倡导者越来越多地以人权术语来构建他们的论点。许多人认为，人权话语有助于为逃离暴力和迫害的人们动员人道主义解决方案。然而，我们认为，某些社区内对人权机构和组织的强烈反对可能会导致这一战略无效，甚至会加剧东道社区的排斥态度。基于对以色列社会中难民标签和人权话语的社会法律分析，我们展示了支持难民的非政府组织如何战略性地使用这一术语，将流离失所者描述为对当地社区的安全和身份威胁。我们建议可以更好地实现倡导者的保护目标的替代框架。