Writing Workshop

Unit 77: Refugee Law, Statelessness & Human Rights

Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2)

Type: Essay

Prompt: Your lecturer has asked you to write an essay discussing the following question:

"To what extent should sovereign nations be held responsible for providing asylum to refugees, and should international human rights laws take precedence over national legislation?"

Write your essay in 220-260 words in response to this prompt. You should discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Tips (en español)

• Structure: Para un essay, utiliza siempre una estructura de cuatro párrafos: Introducción (presentación del tema), Cuerpo 1 (primer punto de vista), Cuerpo 2 (segundo punto de vista/tu opinión) y Conclusión (resumen y postura final).
• Register: Mantén un tono formal y académico. Evita contracciones (use do not instead of don't) y lenguaje coloquial. Usa la tercera persona o estructuras impersonales (It is often argued that...).
• Linking: Utiliza conectores de alto nivel para guiar al lector. No te limites a but o and; usa nevertheless, furthermore, o consequently para mostrar sofisticación.
• Hedging (Cautela): En temas de derechos humanos y leyes, evita afirmaciones absolutas. Usa "hedging" para sonar más académico: en lugar de “Laws must change”, usa “It could be argued that laws ought to be revised”.
• Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar hechos. Debes analizar la validez de los argumentos. Si mencionas una responsabilidad nacional, contrapón el impacto humanitario para demostrar pensamiento crítico.
• Time management: En el examen real, dedica 5 minutos a planificar (brainstorming), 35 minutos a escribir y 10 minutos a revisar errores gramaticales o de ortografía.

Useful language

Model answer

🔊

The Balance Between Sovereignty and Universal Human Rights

The global refugee crisis has ignited a fierce debate regarding the obligations of nation-states. While some argue that national sovereignty should grant countries total control over their borders, others maintain that international human rights must supersede domestic law. This essay will examine both perspectives.

On one hand, proponents of national sovereignty argue that a state's primary duty is to its own citizens. They suggest that uncontrolled migration could strain public resources, such as healthcare and housing, potentially destabilising the social fabric. From this perspective, national legislation is seen as a necessary tool to maintain order and economic stability.

Conversely, it is argued that human rights are universal and transcend political borders. If international law did not take precedence, individuals facing persecution or statelessness would have no protection against tyranny. It could be argued that the moral obligation to prevent human suffering outweighs the administrative convenience of strict border control. Without a global legal framework, the concept of "universal rights" would become meaningless.

In conclusion, while the practical challenges of managing migration are significant, I believe that international human rights laws must hold primacy. Sovereignty should not serve as a shield for violating fundamental human dignities. Ultimately, a legal system that prioritises national interest over human life risks losing its moral legitimacy in the eyes of the global community.

(248 words)

Marking checklist

• Content: ¿Has respondido a todas las partes de la pregunta? ¿Has cubierto ambos puntos de vista y dado tu propia opinión?
• Communicative Achievement: ¿El tono es formal y académico? ¿Has utilizado el formato de essay correctamente para persuadir o informar al lector?
• Organisation: ¿Los párrafos están bien estructurados y conectados mediante conectores lógicos (Conversely, In conclusion)? ¿Hay una progresión clara de ideas?
• Language: ¿Has utilizado vocabulario avanzado (e.g., sovereignty, primacy, destabilising) y estructuras gramaticales complejas (e.g., conditional sentences, passive voice) sin errores que impidan la comprensión?