Socio-Legal Examination of State Human Rights Obligations toward Climate-Induced Migrants

Abstract

This study aims to examine state obligations in protecting the human rights of climate-induced migrants within the context of increasing environmental displacement. Using a qualitative approach with a socio-legal case study design, the research explores the interaction between legal frameworks and the lived experiences of affected communities in a climate-vulnerable coastal region in Indonesia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving migrants, government officials, and civil society representatives selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The findings reveal three main themes: layered vulnerabilities experienced by migrants, gaps in legal protection and policy implementation, and the emergence of adaptive social strategies among migrant communities. These results demonstrate that climate-induced migration is not only an environmental issue but also a socio-legal challenge shaped by structural inequalities and limited institutional responses. The study contributes to the development of socio-legal scholarship by highlighting the disconnection between normative human rights obligations and practical realities. It further emphasizes the need for more inclusive and adaptive legal frameworks that recognize the specific status and rights of climate migrants. The findings have important implications for policy reform, particularly in strengthening legal recognition, institutional coordination, and rights-based protection mechanisms. Future research is recommended to adopt comparative and interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the diverse dynamics of climate-induced migration across different contexts.