Events

The Politics of The Winter Olympics in China: Controversy and Competition

Fall Term:
October 28 5-7pm Safety and Security in the "Migration Crisis"

Seán Binder is one of the 24 defendants in one of the largest cases of the criminalisation of humanitarian action in Europe. After over seven years since his initial arrest, the felony trial against him is finally set to begin on 4 December 2025 in Lesvos, Greece. He faces 20 years’ imprisonment if found guilty of the charges. Binder will speak about his search and rescue work in the context of the so-called migration crisis as well as the underlying policies that brought about his arrest and pre-trial detention. Prosecutions like this have made humanitarian activity more difficult and, therefore, made European borders more deadly. This talk is a cautionary tale at a time when the rule of law is eroding and human rights are being violated.