THE PRINCIPLE OF NON REFOULEMENT AND THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22295/grifos.v35i63.8447

Keywords:

Migration, Human Rights, Migration Control, Refuge, State Sovereignty

Abstract

This article analyzes the case Pacheco Tineo Family v. Plurinational State of Bolivia, aiming to examine state conduct in light of international norms on the protection of migrants and refugees. The central research problem is guided by the following questions: (i) what were the main legal grounds of the claim brought against the Bolivian State? and (ii) to what extent do the adopted conducts reveal migration control practices incompatible with international conventions? The theoretical-conceptual approach is based on the dialogue between international human rights protection and state sovereignty, with emphasis on the principle of non-refoulement. Methodologically, it is a qualitative and bibliographic research, supported by a systematic analysis of academic literature, official documents, jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and other specialized sources. The results show that the Bolivian State violated procedural guarantees, the principle of non-refoulement, and fundamental rights of migrants and children, resulting in condemnation by the Inter-American Court. It is concluded that international norms on migration and refuge were simultaneously structured as instruments for both rights protection and state sovereignty preservation, which weakens their effectiveness and allows practices that, in many cases, operate to the detriment of migrants.

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Author Biographies

Marcos Vinícius Viana da Silva, Univali

PhD in Legal Science from the University of Vale do Itajaí, PhD in Law from the University of Alicante. Professor and vice coordinator of the Master's and Doctorate Program in Public Policy Management at UNIVALI. Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Law.

Rafaella Silveira , Univali

Master in Transnational Migration Law from the University of Vale do Itajaí and the University of Perugia. Postgraduate in Customs and Foreign Trade Law from the University of Vale do Itajaí.

Matheus Ricardo Pereira do Canto, Univali

Master's student in Transnational Migration Law at the University of Vale do Itajaí and Università degli Studi di Perugia. Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Vale do Itajaí. 

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Published

2025-09-30

How to Cite

Viana da Silva, M. V., Silveira, R., & Pereira do Canto, M. R. (2025). THE PRINCIPLE OF NON REFOULEMENT AND THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS. Revista Grifos, 35(63), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.22295/grifos.v35i63.8447