Program Overview

Introduction to the Refugee Law Clinic

The Refugee Law Clinic aims to assign real asylum case files to students, who will then draft the accompanying letters. This process involves meeting with the applicant, first in the presence of the attorney in charge of the case and then independently, to discuss the applicant's story and add relevant new elements to the file, particularly in cases of subsequent protection requests.

History and Objectives

The Refugee Law Clinic was established in 2016 in response to the significant influx of migrants in Belgium and the numerous solidarity initiatives that emerged, particularly at the ULB, to assist these refugees. The project was born out of the impetus of engaged students alongside migrants and a desire for collaboration between students in general, the associative world, the Bar, and the Faculty of Law and Criminology. Initially directed by Serge BODART and then by Céline VERBROUCK, the Refugee Law Clinic was integrated into the Equality Law Clinic, founded by Professors Isabelle RORIVE and Emmanuelle BRIBOSIA, from its creation. Both clinics continue to collaborate closely on various projects.

Educational Goals and Support

The Refugee Law Clinic responds to the need for concrete and effective training in asylum law for future jurists and practitioners. The field also demands correctly trained jurists. The clinic receives support from avocats.be, the Brussels Bar, the Brussels Legal Aid Office, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Avocats sans frontičres, the Council for Alien Law Litigation, CIRE, and many others, which are part of its steering committee.

Connection to Academic Courses

The Refugee Law Clinic, directed by Céline VERBROUCK, is closely linked to the "Belgian Foreigners Law" course (DROI-C5012) at the ULB, which is followed by students participating in the clinic and taught by Professor Philippe DE BRUYCKER.

Achievements

Among its achievements, the Refugee Law Clinic participated in the drafting of the Migration Law Code. This code is the result of an unprecedented and essential project to which members of the Refugee Law Clinic contributed, including its head, Céline VERBROUCK, and Professor Sarah GANTY, who coordinated this work.

Research and Projects

• Demandes de protection internationale (International Protection Requests)
• Demandes de séjour pour raisons médicales (9ter) et accčs aux soins pour les migrant.e.s (Residence Requests for Medical Reasons and Access to Care for Migrants)
• Supports de cours et conférences (Course Supports and Conferences)

Partnerships

The Refugee Law Clinic collaborates with various organizations, including but not limited to:

• Altea
• Ciré
• Barreau de Bruxelles
• Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
• Francophones Bruxelles COCOF
• Centre Perelman de Philosophie du droit
• UNCHR
• Conseil du Contentieux des Etrangers
• Nansen
• The Belgian Refugee Council
• Avocats sans frontičres
• Centre de droit européen
• IEE Institut d'études européennes
• Avocats.be
• Intact Association ASBL
• La ligue des droits de l'Homme
• IEFH
• Asylos
• LSWR
• Ecole de santé publique ULB

This collaboration underscores the clinic's commitment to providing comprehensive support and training in the field of refugee law.