The impact of citizenship on human rights : sexual minorities and refugees in the European Union and Malta

Abstract

This dissertation looks at the plights of human rights of two minorities, the LGBTQ+ communities and refugee communities- framed by notions of citizenship, or thereby lack of. Using theories of modernity and neoliberalism, I analyse the shifts in traditional concepts of the nation state, citizenship and the citizen, and the subsequent implications for minority groups who seek to secure their rights. Research illustrates that ideas of global citizenship and the emergence of human rights discourse has allowed previously stigmatized ‘others’ like sexual minorities to be more embraced for their diversity, and data shows that LGBTQ+ movements are mobilising worldwide and are successful in demanding their rights. However, the same human rights priorities are not extended to all groups: refugees who come from predominately third world countries are still systematically discriminated against and viewed as a security issue rather than a humanitarian one. Thus, modernity can be said to allow certain individualisms, as long as it adheres to Western values and does not interrupt collective goals. I argue , using recent examples in Europe and Malta, that although new political actors and instruments emerge in the contemporary era, currently, national citizenship is still a fundamental key in accessing political and civil rights. However, international actors hold new found political legitimacy and must use it to pressure states to uphold their humanitarian obligations in protecting the rights of minorities.