A Consideration on Legality of Border Barriers: The Principle of Non-refoulement and It’s Extra-territorial Effect

Abstract

It is a common practice for states to build walls and similar structures on their borders primarily for security but also for a variety of reasons. The fact that the principle of non-refoulement as part of customary international law and regulated by the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees is deemed valid not only for those who gain the status of refugee but also for everyone who seeks asylum and that it is interpreted in a way to cover all kinds of deportation acts such as expulsion, return, transfer or rejection on the border for those who have a well-founded fear of being persecuted is a requirement of the developments in both international law and humanitarian law. Various border walls and fences completed by Balkan states with the purpose of preventing mass population movement arising from reasons such as civil wars, failed states, drought and climate change in different parts of the world and relevant activities bring into question of whether the principle of non-refoulement has an extra territorial effect or not. The border policies of states are the result of their sovereignty; however, current precautions taken within the framework of the protection of borders can result in the state’s violation of the obligations arising from international law.

Keywords

• International Refugee Law,Non-Refoulement,State Sovereignty,Effective Control,Border Policies

Sınır Engellerinin Hukukiliği Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme: Geri Göndermeme İlkesi ve Ülke Dışı Etkisi

Abstract

Devletlerin, başta güvenlik olmak üzere pek çok gerekçeye dayanarak sınırlarına duvar ve benzer yapılar inşa etmeleri genel bir uygulamadır. Uluslararası mülteci hukukunun bir parçası olan ve 1951 Birleşmiş Milletler Mültecilerin Hukuki Statüsüne İlişkin Sözleşme ile de düzenlenen geri göndermeme ilkesinin, sadece mülteci statüsü kazanan kişiler için değil, zulme uğrayacağından haklı sebeplerle korkan ve sığınma arayan herkes bakımından geçerli olacak şekilde ve ülke dışına çıkarma, iade etme, nakletme ve sınırda reddetme gibi her türlü sınır dışı fiillerini de içine alacak biçimde yorumlanması, uluslararası hukuk ve insancıl hukuk alanındaki gelişmelerden kaynaklanan bir gerekliliktir. Dünyanın çeşitli bölgelerindeki iç savaşlar, başarısız devletler, kuraklık ve iklim değişikliği gibi nedenlerden kaynaklanan kitlesel insan hareketliliğini engellemek amacıyla Balkan devletleri tarafından tamamlanan muhtelif sınır duvarları ve telleri ile buna ilişkin faaliyetler, geri göndermeme ilkesinin ülke dışı bir etkisinin olup olamayacağı sorununu gündeme getirmektedir. Sınır politikaları, devletlerin egemenliklerinin bir sonucudur; ancak sınırların korunması çerçevesinde alınan bu tedbirler, devletin uluslararası hukuktan kaynaklanan yükümlülükleri ihlal etmesiyle sonuçlanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Uluslarası Mülteci Hukuku,Geri Göndermeme İlkesi,Devlet Egemenliği,Etkin Kontrol,Sınır Politikaları

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