A Restriction of responsibility-sharing: Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the Global Compact on Refugees

Executive summary

The report provides analysis of and reflections on the effects of the pandemic and concomitant challenges on different aspects of the GCR, ranging from shrinking asylum space and restricted responsibility-sharing to how the Compact features in public advocacy surrounding pandemic responses.

Questions explored in the report include: How is the GCR used to address COVID-19 and its impacts? What is the impact of COVID-19 on the implementation of the GCR in terms of refugee protection? What might these impacts mean for the GCR’s short and longer-term viability? It then offers key take-aways and recommendations aimed at a variety of actors.