Challenging repatriation as a durable solution: a critical discourse analysis of Kosova’s repatriation strategy

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study, grounded in postcolonial theories and using critical discourse analysis, examines the discourses shaping Kosova’s National Strategy for the Reintegration of Repatriated Persons in order to contribute to the paucity of the literature on repatriating rejected asylum seekers. The main findings suggest that the dominant discourse used in the strategy constructs an exclusive EU and exalts the EU both as an institutional aspiration and a physical destination that Kosova actively strives to reach. Alignment of the strategy with EU policies has a central place in the strategy, illustrating a European Union–Kosova power asymmetry. These findings add to the body of existing repatriation literature, which has criticized the global North’s dominance on repatriation policy development and they provide important implications for future repatriation policies.

KEYWORDS:

• Kosovo
• repatriation
• critical discourse analysis
• European Union
• migration policy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The first author of this paper is a Kosovar-Albanian and has decided to use the term Kosova and not Kosovo throughout this paper. While this decision might seem insignificant, it is important to this study, which is grounded in critical theories. Kosova is the name of the country in Albanian language, which is spoken by 92% of the population in Kosova (Kosovo Agency of Statics 2019). However the majority population in Kosova, Albanians have been largely marginalized by the international community. As such, using the name Kosova is an attempt to reflect and give importance to the voices of the local population.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kaltrina Kusari

Kaltrina Kusari (MSW, RSW) was born and grew up in Kosova before moving to North America to pursue higher education. The growing up in a post-war society has shaped many of her career aspirations and research interests. Her Master of Social Work (University of Calgary) research focused on the experiences of rejected asylum seekers from Kosova, with the aim of highlighting the voices of a largely hidden migrant population. Currently, she is completing her PhD at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. Staying true to her commitment to social justice, she has grounded her work in the lived experiences of marginalized migrant populations. She has also been involved with research projects which explore homelessness and housing insecurity among immigrants in Calgary; financial literacy among older migrants in Canada; and the complexities of the nexus between immigration and disability.

Christine A. Walsh

Dr. Christine Walsh (MSc, MSW, PhD) is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. In her community-based, action-oriented and arts-informed research she partners with settlement services and homeless serving agencies and newcomers who are impacted by poverty, housing insecurity and homelessness to create the necessary knowledge-based to inform policy and program development to improve housing and social service supports. A second objective of Christine’s research is to improve the well-being of older immigrants through understanding constructs of social inclusion/exclusion, connection and civic participation among this population.