The NUI Galway LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law begins this September and will be delivered by the Irish Centre for Human Rights.

Launching the new LLM, Gráinne O'Hara, Head of the Department of International Protection at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, spoke about her work with refugees in Mexico, the former Yugoslavia, Burundi, Sudan (Darfur), the US, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

She said there is a need for highly qualified postgraduates in the area of migration and forced displacement, both at the policy level and in the fields.

Mobility

“At a time when human mobility, and forced displacement in particular, is to the forefront of so many highly-charged political discussions, the value of academic discipline on the distinct but related issues of migration and refugee flight comes into its own.

“The LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy on offer from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway is a case in point. A clear understanding of the relevant legal frameworks, coupled with evidence-based analysis on field realities, is critical to good policy making.”

The programme enables the development of expertise in international, regional and domestic law, policy and practice in the areas of migration, human trafficking and refugee law.

Humanitarian law

Specialised courses in international humanitarian law and peace operations, gender and law, child rights, and international criminal law will also be on offer.

Pictured are Professor John McHale, Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law; Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights; Dr Ciara Smyth, School of Law; Gráinne O'Hara, Head of the Department of International Protection at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and Enda O’Neill, UNHCR Dublin Office at the launch.