WiRL/ ECRE Free Public Online Seminar on Asylum, Externalisation and Women's Protection
Online
Monday 2nd November 2026 11:30AM
Collaborative event between Women in Refugee Law (WiRL) and European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)
A free online public event, ideal for anyone whose work relates to refugee or asylum-claiming women or with an interest in the needs and experiences of refugee women.
Asylum, Externalisation and Women’s Protection
MONDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2026 | 11:30am- 12:45pm (GMT/ UTC)
Host countries are increasingly using various means to outsource their international protection obligations, however, the impact of externalisation on women seeking asylum is often disregarded. This public seminar seeks to explore recent measures, highlight their impact on women seeking protection, and offer potential avenues to challenge harmful practices. Starting with an overview of the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration, the seminar provides an overview on the new measures as they affect women claiming asylum in Europe five months after the Pact’s implementation. There will then be consideration of the impact on women of safe country concepts and the role of Country of Origin information, including the need to challenge presumptions of safety. Finally, recent decisions from the CEDAW Committee will be discussed, together with CEDAW's potential in challenging removal to ‘safe’ countries. The seminar will then open up to questions and discussion.
PRESENTERS
CATHERINE BRIDDICK (CHAIR)
Associate Professor of International Human Rights and Refugee Law at Oxford University and a fellow of St Antony’s College.
JULIA ZELVENSKA (SPEAKER)
Head of Legal Support and Litigation at ECRE to outline EU Pact on Asylum and Migration measures as they (potentially) impact on women.
CHRISTEL QUERTON (SPEAKER)
Associate Professor in International Refugee Law at UWE Bristol to discuss the impact on women of safe country concepts.
STEPHANIE MOTZ (SPEAKER)
A public law and international law expert to consider CEDAW’s potential in challenging removal to safe countries.
Special thanks to Socio-Legal Studies Association for supporting this event
This is a free event open to all but spaces are limited, and reservations must be made in advance. You will received further information and the link to join the event in upcoming weeks. If you have any further questions, please email [email protected]
A free online public event, ideal for anyone whose work relates to refugee or asylum-claiming women or with an interest in the needs and experiences of refugee women.
Asylum, Externalisation and Women’s Protection
MONDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2026 | 11:30am- 12:45pm (GMT/ UTC)
Host countries are increasingly using various means to outsource their international protection obligations, however, the impact of externalisation on women seeking asylum is often disregarded. This public seminar seeks to explore recent measures, highlight their impact on women seeking protection, and offer potential avenues to challenge harmful practices. Starting with an overview of the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration, the seminar provides an overview on the new measures as they affect women claiming asylum in Europe five months after the Pact’s implementation. There will then be consideration of the impact on women of safe country concepts and the role of Country of Origin information, including the need to challenge presumptions of safety. Finally, recent decisions from the CEDAW Committee will be discussed, together with CEDAW's potential in challenging removal to ‘safe’ countries. The seminar will then open up to questions and discussion.
PRESENTERS
CATHERINE BRIDDICK (CHAIR)
Associate Professor of International Human Rights and Refugee Law at Oxford University and a fellow of St Antony’s College.
JULIA ZELVENSKA (SPEAKER)
Head of Legal Support and Litigation at ECRE to outline EU Pact on Asylum and Migration measures as they (potentially) impact on women.
CHRISTEL QUERTON (SPEAKER)
Associate Professor in International Refugee Law at UWE Bristol to discuss the impact on women of safe country concepts.
STEPHANIE MOTZ (SPEAKER)
A public law and international law expert to consider CEDAW’s potential in challenging removal to safe countries.
Special thanks to Socio-Legal Studies Association for supporting this event
This is a free event open to all but spaces are limited, and reservations must be made in advance. You will received further information and the link to join the event in upcoming weeks. If you have any further questions, please email [email protected]
Event Details
Starts at 11:30AM
