On 28 May 2026, the University of Vienna (Research Network ‘Democracy and Human Rights’), Kyoto University and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR) jointly organized the seminar “Migration and Vulnerabilities” at Kyoto University, Japan. The event took place on the occasion of the annual meeting of the International Law Association’s Committee on International Migration and International Law and was coordinated by Michael Lysander Fremuth and Shotaro Hamamoto.

The seminar brought together researchers from Austria, China, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and Australia to discuss current developments and challenges in migration governance, refugee protection, human rights and international law. The four panels were chaired by Michael Lysander Fremuth, Vasilka Sancin, Sandra Guo and Shotaro Hamamoto.

Participants explored a broad range of issues, including the impact of climate change on migration, regional approaches to labour migration in the Asia-Pacific region, immigration detention and access to justice, accountability mechanisms for human rights violations, and the interaction between refugee law and other areas of public international law. The discussions highlighted both regional specificities and global challenges, while providing valuable comparative perspectives on emerging vulnerabilities in the context of international migration.

Representing the LBI-GMR and the University of Vienna were Michael Lysander Fremuth, Dorit Aschauer, and Andreas Sauermoser, as well as Camilla Haake. Their contributions addressed topics including climate-induced displacement, the principle of non-refoulement, the right to self-determination in the context of migration, international criminal law, and corporate responsibility for the human rights of migrant workers in global supply chains.

The seminar offered an important platform for academic exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue. Participants identified several areas of common research interest and discussed opportunities for future cooperation. Publications related to the presentations of the LBI-colleagues will follow. A key outcome of the event was the strengthening of collaboration between the University of Vienna, Kyoto University and the LBI-GMR, as well as the expansion of professional networks with colleagues from the University of Toyama, the University of Basel and Flinders University.

Discussions are already underway regarding the organization of a follow-up seminar at the University of Vienna to further deepen cooperation and advance joint research initiatives.