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In person icon Party Contestation over the Deportation Issue

Contentious Politics
Human Rights
Political Parties
Immigration
P247
Sarah Meyer
University of Vienna
Didier Ruedin
Université de Neuchâtel

In person icon Building: Rankine, Floor: 1, Room: 107

Saturday 09:00 - 10:40 BST (06/09/2014)

Abstract

Deportation has become a central element of immigration control, particularly of asylum seekers whose application has been rejected. At the same time, deportation can be seen as contradicting human rights obligations for individuals in need of protection. Despite its sensitive nature, for a long time deportation has been largely absent from public discourse. Nevertheless feelings of unease and moral outrage have emerged among certain sections of the political elite and the general public, manifesting themselves in various forms of criticism and protest against the deportation of individuals. Contention over the deportation issue often refers to individual cases that—for various reasons—have attracted public attention. Unlike the often abstract and impersonal debate about the virtues and downsides of immigration for the host country, the focus here is on specific individuals or families and their struggle to start a new life. This focus on individuals may offer parties different opportunities to politicize the issue of immigration and affect party competition on the issue. The panel examines how political parties across Europe deal with the deportation issues. What policy preferences do parties express? Which parties support (which kind of) individual deportees or families? Which parties drive the politicization of the issue—pro- or anti-immigrant parties? Is party contestation over the deportation issue related to or decoupled from pending deportation cases? The papers in this panel explore how parties address the deportation issue in public discourse and parliamentary activities, across and within countries, and how parties respond to anti-deportation protests.

Title Details
Protesters or Parties? Drivers in the Politicisation of the Deportation Issue View Paper Details
Rights or Gaps? Party Politics of Deportation Control in the Austrian Nationalrat View Paper Details
Bifurcated Party Politics? Promoting and Contesting Deportations in Germany View Paper Details
Refugee Policies in Switzerland View Paper Details