This thesis addresses the influence of regime complexity on governance of global issues. More precisely, it deals with the overlap of the international human rights regime and the international refugee regime by addressing regime complexity and its influence on the ability of states and nonstate actors to govern global issues. The contemporary international community is defined by complex interactions and a plethora of institutions. Consequently, many other actors and rules have also come into existence. These are increasingly relevant for addressing almost any international issue and issue-areas. Based on the international governance approaches this thesis conceptualises relevant elements of regime complexity, and applies them to analyse the influence of regime complexity on co-operation at the overlap of the international regimes for human rights and refugees. Empirically, the analysis of regime complexity and its effects are based on case studies of Australia and the European Union and their policies regarding refugees. The thesis has shown that regime complexity at the overlap of both international regimes (for refugees and human rights) has enabled international actors to avoid rules, institutions, norms and mechanisms, which do not fit their preferences in a certain context. The thesis has thus demonstrated how regime complexity limits access to rights of individuals who have been forced to flee their countries
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