Categorisation of refugees leads to new inequalities

Syrian refugees ask the German government for help - A record number of people across the world have been displaced from their homes. Only a small number find refuge in Europe via safe and legal pathways. The categorisation of refugees plays an important role in this admission process. Natalie Welfens investigated how categorisation works in humanitarian admission programmes and concluded that new forms of inequality are created. She will receive her doctorate from the University of Amsterdam on Wednesday, 9 June. Citing a crisis and scarce resources, European states are increasingly closing their doors and admitting only a limited number of 'particularly vulnerable' refugees via resettlement and other refugee admission programmes. Categorisation plays an important role in this admission process, separating refugees into those who deserve help and those who are labelled as undesirable or a risk.