Equal yet different : why should beneficiaries of subsidiary protection have the same rights as refugees? : a comparative study between Canada, Germany, Hungary, and the EU

Les demandeurs d'asile qui obtiennent une protection internationale sont soit considérés comme des réfugiés, soit comme des bénéficiaires d'une protection (subsidiaire). Cette différence pourrait influencer les conditions de séjour des demandeurs d'asile reconnus et leurs avantages dans plusieurs pays. Au Canada, les deux termes existent mais ils n'affectent pas les conditions de séjour d'une personne. Dans l'UE, la protection accordée peut faire la différence en fonction du pays d'accueil. Cette étude analyse si l'Allemagne, la Hongrie et l'UE doivent réformer leurs systèmes d'asile pour améliorer les droits des bénéficiaires de la protection subsidiaire. L'objectif est de répondre à la question de savoir pourquoi il devrait y avoir une différence entre les deux groupes en déterminant la différence entre les réfugiés et les bénéficiaires de la protection (subsidiaire). À cette fin, les différents cadres juridiques du Canada, de l'Allemagne, de la Hongrie et de l'UE seront comparés afin de discuter des différentes approches. Ensuite, une analyse basée sur les droits de la personne montrera que la distinction entre les deux groupes est une discrimination à l'encontre d'un groupe de demandeurs d'asile. En outre, une évaluation démontrera que la vulnérabilité devrait prévoir un traitement égal des réfugiés et des bénéficiaires de la protection subsidiaire. S'appuyant sur l'utilitarisme, l'étude fournira une perspective économique sur le statut de la protection. Enfin, des recommandations pour le traitement des bénéficiaires de la protection subsidiaire concernant l'UE, l'Allemagne et la Hongrie seront fournies.Asylum seekers who obtain international protection are either considered as refugees or as beneficiaries of (subsidiary) protection. This difference might influence the terms of stay of recognized asylum seekers and their benefits in several countries. In Canada, both terms exist but they do not affect a person’s terms of stay. In the EU, the protection that has been granted can make a difference, depending on the reception country. This study analyzes if Germany, Hungary and the EU should reform their asylum systems to improve the rights of beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. The objective is to answer the question why there should be a difference between both groups by determining the difference between refugees and beneficiaries of (subsidiary) protection. For this purpose, the different legal framework of Canada, Germany, Hungary, and the EU will be compared to discuss the different approaches. An analysis based on human rights will show that the distinction is a discrimination against a group of asylum seekers. Furthermore, an evaluation will demonstrate that the factor vulnerability should provide for an equal treatment of refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. Arguing with utilitarianism, the study will provide an economic perspective about the status of protection. Last, recommendations for the treatment of beneficiaries of subsidiary protection regarding the EU, Germany, and Hungary will be given

Transcultural Approaches to Arabic Script on the Royal Norman Mantle and Alb

This article applies recent methodological approaches to a case study of two Mediterranean objects from Norman Sicily—Roger II’s mantle and William II’s alb. Approaching the Arabic inscriptions on the royal garments through the methodological frames of ‘transfer’ and ‘shared court culture’ allows for an observation of formal relations and continuities across the Mediterranean, although these do not account entirely for the idiosyncrasies of the Norman objects. The comparative approach, on the other hand, and particularly the differences which it reveals between the Norman and other Mediterranean uses of Arabic textile inscriptions, highlights the choices underlying the adaptation of these ornamental motifs to twelfth-century Sicily. I shall argue, therefore, that an assessment of the receptions in medieval Europe of ‘transcultural’ ornamental motifs, such as Arabic textile inscriptions, greatly benefits from an approach combining methodologies

Dispelling the myths of online education: learning via the information superhighway

There continues to be a perception that online education is inferior to traditional education. In the U.S. online learning is more developed than in the U.K. This paper provides insights into a U.S. provision and takes a close look at what are perceived as weaknesses of on line learning and argues that these are not necessarily inherent weaknesses of this form of educational delivery. Then, results of two major studies, undertaken in the U.S. are provided comparing the effectiveness of online education to traditional education as perceived by current MBA students and past graduates. Results of these studies suggest that students of MBA modules and MBA graduates perceive the quality and effectiveness of online education to be similar to, if not higher than, the quality and effectiveness of traditional modules and programmes

Cooee bitumen. II. Stability of linear asphaltene nanoaggregates

Asphaltene and smaller aromatic molecules tend to form linear nanoaggregates in bitumen.Over the years bitumen undergoes chemical aging and during this process, the size of the nanoaggregate increases. This increase is associated with an increase in viscosity and brittleness of the bitumen, eventually leading to road deterioration. This paper focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind nanoaggregate size and stability. We used molecular dynamics simulations to quantify the probability of having a nanoaggregate of a given size in the stationary regime. To model this complicated behavior, we chose first to consider the simple case where only asphaltene molecules are counted in a nanoaggregate. We used a master equation approach and a related statistical mechanics model. The linear asphaltene nanoaggregates behave as a rigid linear chain. The most complicated case where all aromatic molecules are counted in a nanoaggregate is then discussed. The linear aggregates where all aromatic molecules are counted seem to behave as a flexible linear chain.Comment: 31 pages, 9 figure

Evidence for solar wind modulation of lightning

The response of lightning rates over Europe to arrival of high speed solar wind streams at Earth is investigated using a superposed epoch analysis. Fast solar wind stream arrival is determined from modulation of the solar wind V y component, measured by the Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft. Lightning rate changes around these event times are determined from the very low frequency arrival time difference (ATD) system of the UK Met Office. Arrival of high speed streams at Earth is found to be preceded by a decrease in total solar irradiance and an increase in sunspot number and Mg II emissions. These are consistent with the high speed stream's source being co-located with an active region appearing on the Eastern solar limb and rotating at the 27 d period of the Sun. Arrival of the high speed stream at Earth also coincides with a small (~1%) but rapid decrease in galactic cosmic ray flux, a moderate (~6%) increase in lower energy solar energetic protons (SEPs), and a substantial, statistically significant increase in lightning rates. These changes persist for around 40 d in all three quantities. The lightning rate increase is corroborated by an increase in the total number of thunder days observed by UK Met stations, again persisting for around 40 d after the arrival of a high speed solar wind stream. This result appears to contradict earlier studies that found an anti-correlation between sunspot number and thunder days over solar cycle timescales. The increase in lightning rates and thunder days that we observe coincides with an increased flux of SEPs which, while not being detected at ground level, nevertheless penetrate the atmosphere to tropospheric altitudes. This effect could be further amplified by an increase in mean lightning stroke intensity that brings more strokes above the detection threshold of the ATD system. In order to remove any potential seasonal bias the analysis was repeated for daily solar wind triggers occurring during the summer months (June to August). Though this reduced the number of solar wind triggers to 32, the response in both lightning and thunder day data remained statistically significant. This modulation of lightning by regular and predictable solar wind events may be beneficial to medium range forecasting of hazardous weather

Atmospheric electric field measurements in urban environment and the pollutant aerosol weekly dependence

The weekly dependence of pollutant aerosols in the urban environment of Lisbon (Portugal) is inferred from the records of atmospheric electric field at Portela meteorological station (38°47′N,9°08′W). Measurements were made with a Bendorf electrograph. The data set exists from 1955 to 1990, but due to the contaminating effect of the radioactive fallout during 1960 and 1970s, only the period between 1980 and 1990 is considered here. Using a relative difference method a weekly dependence of the atmospheric electric field is found in these records, which shows an increasing trend between 1980 and 1990. This is consistent with a growth of population in the Lisbon metropolitan area and consequently urban activity, mainly traffic. Complementarily, using a Lomb–Scargle periodogram technique the presence of a daily and weekly cycle is also found. Moreover, to follow the evolution of theses cycles, in the period considered, a simple representation in a colour surface plot representation of the annual periodograms is presented. Further, a noise analysis of the periodograms is made, which validates the results found. Two datasets were considered: all days in the period, and fair-weather days only