Borders, the Pandemic & Human Rights

Coffee and Reception

Opening remarks and welcome from the Journal of International Law and Foreign Affairs and the Promise Institute for Human Rights

Keynote Speech I
Soledad García Muñoz

Race and Ethnicity Panel

This panel will look at borders, the pandemic and human rights through a lens of race and ethnicity. Using multiple perspectives, including Critical Race Theory and Third World Approaches to International Law, the panelists will explore how various racial identity markers themselves become borders that mediate access to rights, in the context of migrations and global pandemics.

Speakers:

• John Reynolds
• Karla McKanders
• Matiangai Sirleaf
• Odilia Romero

Moderator: Asli Bali

Break

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Panel

While SOGI discrimination may cause migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers to flee their country of origin, socially derived SOGI borders continue to exist inside territorial boundaries and impact immigration practices. This panel will address how international and domestic law contributes to the reinforcement of SOGI borders and SOGI-based denial of human rights, particularly in the context of the COVID pandemic.

Speakers:

• Macarena Sáez
• B Camminga
• Kimahli Powell

Moderator: Ari Shaw

Lunch Break

Boxed lunch provided for those registered to attend in person.

Disability Panel

This panel will seek to address how the social conception of disability status drives and impacts migration, and serves as a barrier to those attempting to access and utilize domestic power structures and institutions. It will also consider how the challenges faced by persons with physical and mental disabilities are exacerbated in the context of global pandemics.

Speakers:

• Katherine Pérez
• Ron McCallum
• Mary Crock

Moderator: Brad Sears

Break

Keynote Speech II
E. Tendayi Achiume

Thank You from JILFA

Reception