The adoption of the Global Compact for Refugees by the member states of the UN General Assembly on 17 December 2018 represents an important step in the protection of the rights of refugees. Its non-legally binding nature, the same as with the Global Compact on Migration, has been highlighted as a key aspect facilitating its near-universal adoption. The Compact is an important political declaration and, if anything, a soft law instrument. This raises the question of the possible legal implications the Compact may have.
Suggested citation: Diego Acosta and Monica Oehler, ´The Global Compact for Refugees as a Soft Law Instrument: Lessons from the application of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees in Mexico´, Blog post, Refugee Law Initiative, 1 March 2019.