International conference “Migrants as a Sword or as a Shield? Instrumentalization of migration and hybrid threats through the prism of international and EU law” - 21st of November 2025
On 21st of November 2025, the international conference entitled “Migrants as a Sword or as a Shield? Instrumentalization of migration and hybrid threats through the prism of international and EU law” was held in Palermo, at the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate in Palazzo Steri. The conference was promoted by the Department of Law of the University of Palermo on the initiative of Professors Francesco Gatta and Diego Mauri.
The topic, discussed with experts in international and European migration and human rights law, concerns hybrid threats and the instrumentalization of migrants as controversial practices implemented by some States to destabilize others. The conference, in particular, examined the tense situation on the border between Belarus and several EU member States, in order to analyze how international and European law can respond to the exploitation of migrants while simultaneously ensuring the protection of human rights.
