São Paulo – From this month on, the International Law department of the Law School at the University of São Paulo (USP) is offering its students an extension course on migrants’ rights. The idea is to enable students to assists refugees and immigrants arriving in Brazil. The classes are part of the project “Legal migration: migrants’ rights awareness-raising and protection program.” The course has 20 slots and is free of charge. Enrolment ends on Thursday (8th).
According to the International Law Department’s associate professor and project coordinator Wagner Menezes, preparations for the course began last year. “Students will be taught by professionals from several areas, such as International Law, as well as get guidance on the foreigner’s statute, and notions of diplomatic service,” Menezes told ANBA.
The students in the course are volunteers from graduate, master’s and doctorate courses at USP’s Law School. Classes will run from October until February. By March, the students will begin catering to migrants and refugees. “It’s not about offering any privileges, it’s about making them aware of their rights,” he said. He also said the International Law Department plans on expanding the course and holding a seminar on the issue in 2016.
The proposal, according to the professor, predated the increase in Syrian refugee influx to the country, since there already was a migratory “pressure” in place, especially the city of São Paulo, due to the growing number of Bolivians and Haitians. “Brazil has always been a hospitable country. This is a part of the cultural core of our society, but we are not ready to welcome the foreigners yet. We are willing, but we do not possess the necessary structure. They will meet welcoming and hostile people around here,” he remarked.
Menezes also explained that the institution is planning to raise its stake in Brazil’s refugee and migrant assistance network, as well as enter into partnerships with organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as law-related organizations such as the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (Ministério Público Federal) and its labor arm Ministério Público do Trabalho.
According to Menezes, in case all slots are not taken by Law School students, other people may apply. Candidates are required to speak at least two languages.
Additional information: projetomigracaolegal@gmail.com
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
