“(…) Here I have freedom”—A study of refugees' and asylum seekers' legal consciousness in Greece: Self-identity, human rights, and expectations from European Union law

Journal article


Graca, S. and Kapageorgiadou, V. 2024. “(…) Here I have freedom”—A study of refugees' and asylum seekers' legal consciousness in Greece: Self-identity, human rights, and expectations from European Union law. Law & Policy. 46 (3), pp. 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/lapo.12256
AuthorsGraca, S. and Kapageorgiadou, V.
Abstract

This paper adds to the existing knowledge on migration and the law by empirically exploring the legal consciousness of 33 refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, more specifically, by discussing how their experiences, self-identity and expectations of the law inform their reactions to the restrictions imposed upon them. The findings suggest that (1) legal knowledge is acquired in the countries of origin and from contact with smugglers, other migrants, law enforcement agents and staff from NGOs; (2) this knowledge allows them to forge an identity as “rights-bearers,” which (3) together with perceptions and expectations of human rights law and European Union policies on migration, (4) empower them to claim protection from the Greek state, and (5) legitimizes their actions, even if these sometimes involve subterfuge. Despite their particularly vulnerable positions, refugees and asylum seekers are, therefore, not mere passive receivers of state power, but also try to use the law to overcome adversity, in an almost game-like fashion.

KeywordsMigrants; Legal Consciousness; Human rights; European Union ; Refugees; Asylum seekers
Year2024
JournalLaw & Policy
Journal citation46 (3), pp. 1-26
PublisherWiley
ISSN1467-9930
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/lapo.12256
Official URLhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/lapo.12256
Publication dates
Online24 Sep 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted01 Sep 2024
Deposited25 Sep 2024
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/9926q/-here-i-have-freedom-a-study-of-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-legal-consciousness-in-greece-self-identity-human-rights-and-expectations-from-european-union-law

  • 5
    total views
  • 2
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2023
Graca, S., Bryant, R., Lawton-Barrett, K., Gilbert, P., Hooper, G., Jones, N., Blackburn, B., McCormack, T., Mitchell, S., Nunn, J., O'Neill, M. and Owens, J. 2022. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2023. Oxford Oxford University Press.
Resistance and the paradox of legal entitlement – A theoretical analysis of migrant women’s responses to domestic abuse in the host country
Graca, S. 2021. Resistance and the paradox of legal entitlement – A theoretical analysis of migrant women’s responses to domestic abuse in the host country. The Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law. https://doi.org/10.1080/07329113.2021.1925458
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2021
Graca, S., Bryant, R., Lawton-Barrett, K., Gilbert, P., Hooper, G., Jones, N., Blackburn, B., McCormack, T., Mitchell, S., Nunn, J., O'Neill, M. and Owens, J. Bryant, S. and Bryant, R. (ed.) 2020. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2021. Oxford Oxford University Press.
A critical reflection on the use and effectiveness of DVPNs and DVPOs
Blackburn, K. and Graca, S. 2020. A critical reflection on the use and effectiveness of DVPNs and DVPOs. Police Practice and Research. 22 (1), pp. 23-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2020.1759059
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2020
Graca, S., Bryant, R., Lawton-Barrett, K., Gilbert, P., Hooper, G., Jones, N., Blackburn, B., McCormack, T., Mitchell, S., Nunn, J., O'Neill, M. and Owens, J. Bryant, S. and Bryant, R. (ed.) 2019. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2020. Oxford Oxford University Press.
Bystander pilot programme assessment report: comparisons between questionnaire 1 and questionnaire 2
Graca, S. 2018. Bystander pilot programme assessment report: comparisons between questionnaire 1 and questionnaire 2.
Intervention initiative programme - pilot evaluation
Graca, S., Akrivos, D., Aziz, R. and Hadjigeorgiou, D. 2017. Intervention initiative programme - pilot evaluation.
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2018
Graca, S., Bryant, R., Lawton-Barrett, K., Gilbert, P., Hooper, G., Jones, N., Blackburn, B., McCormack, T., Mitchell, S., Nunn, J., O'Neill, M. and Owens, J. Bryant, S. and Bryant, R. (ed.) 2017. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2018. Oxford Oxford University Press.
Addressing domestic abuse in university student populations
Graca, S. 2018. Addressing domestic abuse in university student populations.
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2017
Blackburn, B., Graca, S., Lawton-Barrett, K., Gilbert, P., Hooper, G., Jones, G., Lerpiniere, P., McCormack, T., Mitchell, S., Nunn, J., O'Neill, M., Owens, J., Straine-Francis, V., Underwood, R. and Wood, D. Bryant, R. and Bryant, S. (ed.) 2016. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2017. Oxford Oxford University Press.
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2016
Graca, S., Lawton-Barrett, K., O'Neill, M., Tong, S., Underwood, R. and Wood, D. Bryant, R. and Bryant, S. (ed.) 2015. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2016. Oxford Oxford University Press.
Portuguese culture and legal consciousness: a discussion of immigrant women’s perceptions of and reactions to domestic violence
Graca, S. 2017. Portuguese culture and legal consciousness: a discussion of immigrant women’s perceptions of and reactions to domestic violence. International Journal of Law in Context. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1744552317000544
Plans for a new law on domestic violence - a vacuous effort?
Graca, S. 2017. Plans for a new law on domestic violence - a vacuous effort? CCCU Expert Comment Canterbury Christ Church University.
Domestic incident or everyone's business?
Graca, S. 2017. Domestic incident or everyone's business? CCCU Expert Comment Canterbury Christ Church University.
Russia changes the law on domestic violence – why should it concern the UK?
Graca, S. 2017. Russia changes the law on domestic violence – why should it concern the UK? Socio-Legal Studies Association.
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2017
Graca, S., Lawton-Barrett, K., Gilbert, P., Hooper, G., Jones, N., Lerpiniere, P., McCormack, T., Mitchell, S., Nunn, J., O'Neill, M. and Owens, J. Bryant, R. and Bryan, S. (ed.) 2016. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2017. Open University Press.
Domestic violence policy and legislation in the UK: a discussion of immigrant women’s vulnerabilities
Graca, S. 2017. Domestic violence policy and legislation in the UK: a discussion of immigrant women’s vulnerabilities. European Journal of Current Legal Issues. 22 (1).
Use of domestic violence services by Portuguese women in England
Graca, S. 2015. Use of domestic violence services by Portuguese women in England. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law. 37 (1), pp. 38-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/09649069.2015.998003
O modelo Ingles de combate a violencia domestica
Graca, S. 2012. O modelo Ingles de combate a violencia domestica. Jornal Estado de Direito. 33, p. 19.
Policing, security and crime prevention in the night-time economy: the case study of Margate
Graca, S. 2007. Policing, security and crime prevention in the night-time economy: the case study of Margate.
Night-time economy: cooperation between formal and informal social control (case study of Margate)
Graca, S. 2008. Night-time economy: cooperation between formal and informal social control (case study of Margate). The Police Journal. 81 (2), pp. 126-143.