During this Migration Seminar, Ashenafi Woldemichael and Tefera Negash Gebregziabhera will present their recent work on the return of asylum seekers to their countries of origin in the Horn of Africa.
- PhD student
- Assistant professor
- Date
- Tuesday 18 Nov 2025, 15:00 - 17:00
- Type
- Seminar
- Spoken Language
- English
- Room
- Room 3.31
- Location
- International Institute of Social Studies
Presenting his article, 'The experiences of involuntary return migrants and their evolving migration aspirations in Ethiopia', Ashenafi Woldemichael examines the reintegration experiences of Ethiopian returnees who were involuntarily repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and analyses how their experiences upon return impact on aspirations to migrate again, frequently to Europe.
Through interviews with returnees, local officials, community leaders and development actors he shows that reintegration is far from linear or complete. Whilst first finding social acceptance, returnees find that this support erodes if they are unable to fulfil the economic and social expectations of their families and communities.
Tefera Negash Gebregziabhera will discuss his recent publication, ‘"Human beings should not be deported": The Horn of Africa’s hegemon contests the EU’s norm to readmit', co-authored with Erlend Paasche and Wil Hout. The article examines how Ethiopian public officers understand return and readmission, both nationally and in the realm of international politics.
Their research finds that although voluntary return is met with relative acceptance, forced return is condemned and viewed as illegitimate. They identify four themes which delegitimize return and readmission:
- State agents see Ethiopia as a benefactor protecting citizens abroad by non-collaboration on their readmission.
- Ethiopia’s culture and history of hospitality towards people on the move is set in contrast to Europe’s deportations.
- State agents question legality and morality of readmission.
- European governments’ policy and practice of forced return is framed as inappropriate and inhumane.
Research and teaching on migration and diversity at ISS
- Related education
