One-day capacity-building training session on international refugee protection laws
A training session was conducted by the BUITEMS Law School in collaboration with UNHCR to empower and educate students regarding the international legal framework for refugees. These laws protect refugees' rights and the responsibilities of host countries towards refugees. The event occurred in the BUITEMS Law School Auditorium on 4th October 2024. Miss Tahira Awan (Senior Protection Assistant UNHCR) and Mr. Haider Zaman (Assistant Protection Officer UNHCR) were the guest speakers, while Mr. Asif Raz was the event's chief guest. However, Miss Shakeela Kakar (Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Academics) was the event organizer. The event's main objective was to help the students understand the national and international legal frameworks governing the protection of refugees and enlighten them on Balouchistan's roles and responsibilities towards refugees under international Law. The training also aimed to create awareness regarding refugees' challenges in Baluchistan, develop students' ability to advocate for refugee rights, and contribute to developing pro-refugee policy. The one-day capacity-building session was a success; students actively participated. The speaker discussed the role of Pakistan as a signatory and shed light on challenges that refugees face regularly in accessing legal rights, housing, education, healthcare, and protection from forced return and discussed the role of UNHCR in protecting their rights. The importance of lawyers in protecting the rights of refugees was also discussed. Through this session, students were able to analyze case studies of real-world refugee challenges by applying legal laws, and their reasoning skills were also enhanced. Students will get connected to the UNHCR team, which will benefit them in the future in terms of internship opportunities. The session will give an understanding of national and international legal frameworks based on protecting refugees, and they will become socially conscious and aware of global and local human rights issues. Hence, it will inspire students to pursue careers in humanitarian law.