Introduction

• Maija Mustaniemi-Laakso ^[1]
  1. [1] Åbo Akademi University

     Åbo Akademi University

     Turku, Finlandia

     
• Localización: The protection of vulnerable individuals in the context of EU policies on border checks, asylum and immigration, 2016, págs. 1-28
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto Completo Libro
• Resumen

  • In the introductory chapter it is noted that vulnerability in today’s human rights rhetoric is typically portrayed in collective terms: vulnerable groups are to be provided with special protection, as their human rights are at a particular risk of being violated. While such a group-based approach to vulnerabilities is often essential it may sometimes, however, be counterproductive. It has been noted that labelling all individuals deemed to belong to a specific group as vulnerable may be (further) disempowering. An overly strong reliance on the group-based notion of vulnerability may also overshadow other sources of vulnerability. The report therefore emphasises the fact that vulnerability is not a static state of affairs attached only to particular groups, but fluctuates with situations and contexts. By looking at the concept in this dynamic and contextual way, and as socially embedded, the report analyses vulnerability as relational to the institutional and societal contexts where it is produced. This approach also entails that the eradication of societal practices and structures that maintain disadvantages or indirect discrimination is seen as especially important.