Abbas Shiblak
Encyclopedia
Abbas Shiblak is a Middle-Eastern academic, historian, Research Associate at the Refugee Studies Centre
(RSC), University of Oxford
(a post he has held since 1992), free-lance writer, former diplomat and an advocate of human rights.
Shiblak specializes in refugee-host country relationships and international humanitarian law. For the last few years, he has been working on a paper on the topic of statelessness
in the Arab region.
Shiblak founded Shaml, the Palestinian Refugee and Diaspora Centre in Ramallah
, and also served as its first director. Shiblak was also a member of the Palestinian delegation to the peace talks on the "Working Group on Refugees".
on 6 January 1944 and, after completing his schooling in Jordan
, his university education in Egypt
and working in Lebanon
, he moved to Britain
in 1975, where he completed his postgraduate education in international relations. Shiblak then pursued a career in free-lance journalism, diplomacy, and developed an interest in refugee affairs and stateless communities, with particular reference to the Middle East. He is regularly consulted by inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, immigration agencies, law firms, academic institutions and the mass media to advise and comment on refugee affairs and statelessness
. Shiblak resides in the United Kingdom.
Forthcoming work:
‘Citizens, Sub-Citizens and non Citizens: the Issue of Citizenship and Statelessness in the Arab Region’ .
Refugee Studies Centre
The Refugee Studies Centre was established in 1982, as part of the University of Oxford’s Department of International Development , in order to promote the understanding of the causes and consequences of forced migration and to improve the lives of some of the world’s most marginalised people...
(RSC), University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
(a post he has held since 1992), free-lance writer, former diplomat and an advocate of human rights.
Shiblak specializes in refugee-host country relationships and international humanitarian law. For the last few years, he has been working on a paper on the topic of statelessness
Statelessness
Statelessness is a legal concept describing the lack of any nationality. It is the absence of a recognized link between an individual and any state....
in the Arab region.
Shiblak founded Shaml, the Palestinian Refugee and Diaspora Centre in Ramallah
Ramallah
Ramallah is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank located 10 kilometers north of Jerusalem, adjacent to al-Bireh. It currently serves as the de facto administrative capital of the Palestinian National Authority...
, and also served as its first director. Shiblak was also a member of the Palestinian delegation to the peace talks on the "Working Group on Refugees".
Biography
Abbas Shiblak was born in PalestinePalestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
on 6 January 1944 and, after completing his schooling in Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, his university education in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and working in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, he moved to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1975, where he completed his postgraduate education in international relations. Shiblak then pursued a career in free-lance journalism, diplomacy, and developed an interest in refugee affairs and stateless communities, with particular reference to the Middle East. He is regularly consulted by inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, immigration agencies, law firms, academic institutions and the mass media to advise and comment on refugee affairs and statelessness
Statelessness
Statelessness is a legal concept describing the lack of any nationality. It is the absence of a recognized link between an individual and any state....
. Shiblak resides in the United Kingdom.
Publications
Among his most recent publications:- The Palestinian diaspora in Europe; Challenge of Adaptation and Identity (ed), Shaml & IJS, Jerusalem, 2005.
- A new edition of his book on the Exodus of the Iraqi Jewish community 1949-1951, Saqi Books, London 2005.
- Iraqi Jews: A History
- The Lure of Zion: The Case of the Iraqi Jews
- Residency status and civil rights of Palestinian refugees in Arab countries
- Palestinians in Lebanon and the PLO
- Statelessness among Palestinian Refugees
Forthcoming work:
‘Citizens, Sub-Citizens and non Citizens: the Issue of Citizenship and Statelessness in the Arab Region’ .