Law and Asylum

'Behrman has produced a fascinating, ambitious and wide-ranging book that explores sanctuary and asylum from various perspectives. At a moment when asylum seems under threat, this timely analysis reminds us of the importance of history but, crucially, challenges the role of law in protecting forced migrants and providing solutions.' Dallal Stevens, University of Warwick, UK 'Refugee law as protection? Think again. Taking us through Agamben and Ranciere and from the Antiquity to the development of Christian thought to the sanctuary movement in the US and sans papers resistance in France, the author demonstrates how the legal paradigm threatens or even erases the practice of asylum. Erudite, clear and compelling.' Marie-Benedicte Dembour, University of Brighton, UK 'Why are refugees so often seen as intruders into societies in which they seek safety and security? This book provides important insights into the role of law in the ideology and practice of exclusion. It is a valuable resource for those who wish to understand the predicaments of refugees in the 21st century.' Philip Marfleet, University of East London, UK `In this work Behrman offers a much needed refreshingly critical, historically grounded and theoretically rich reading of international refugee law. Its ground-breaking argument is that refugee law and rights are contributing to decreasing spaces of protection for refugees and limiting the scope for activist responses to people in flight of persecution. Scholars, students, activists and practitioners have much to gain from reading this book.' Nadine El-Enany, Birkbeck School of Law, UK 'Behrman has produced a fascinating, ambitious and wide-ranging book that explores sanctuary and asylum from various perspectives. At a moment when asylum seems under threat, this timely analysis reminds us of the importance of history but, crucially, challenges the role of law in protecting forced migrants and providing solutions.' Dallal Stevens, University of Warwick, UK 'Refugee law as protection? Think again. Taking us through Agamben and Ranciere and from the Antiquity to the development of Christian thought to the sanctuary movement in the US and sans papers resistance in France, the author demonstrates how the legal paradigm threatens or even erases the practice of asylum. Erudite, clear and compelling.' Marie-Benedicte Dembour, University of Brighton, UK 'Why are refugees so often seen as intruders into societies in which they seek safety and security? This book provides important insights into the role of law in the ideology and practice of exclusion. It is a valuable resource for those who wish to understand the predicaments of refugees in the 21st century.' Philip Marfleet, University of East London, UK `In this work Behrman offers a much needed refreshingly critical, historically grounded and theoretically rich reading of international refugee law. Its ground-breaking argument is that refugee law and rights are contributing to decreasing spaces of protection for refugees and limiting the scope for activist responses to people in flight of persecution. Scholars, students, activists and practitioners have much to gain from reading this book.' Nadine El-Enany, Birkbeck School of Law, UK