Covid-19 Stigmatisation of Foreign Students: Human Rights’ Laws, Marketing and International Relations’ Implications

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to undertake a critical analysis of reported stigmatization and Xenophobia on International Students around the world. This is with the intent of ascertaining the implications on universal human rights conventions, international students’ exchanges and international relations, and the way forward.

Design/Methodology/Approach

The authors applied a critical analysis method in this study as a traceable, systematic and reproducible research tool, through a qualitative assessment of reliable mass media reports, and the positions of the universal fundamental human rights instruments on the issue. It is a secondary-data based situation analysis study.

Findings

The findings revealed a significant covid-19 related violations of the fundamental human rights of foreign students in some countries of the world; significant covid-19 related violations of the fundamental human rights of Asians and Asian students in the world;  significant covid-19 motivated stigma and xenophobia on non-Asian students and citizens; and a covid-19 influenced sour international relations between some nations due to the stigma and xenophobia of foreign students.

Research Limitations/Implications

The implication of this study is that COVID-19 stigmatizations, xenophobia and all forms of hostilities against foreigners leaves everyone in the world a loser. This is because it means the virus has made man to turn away from the hard-won universal brotherhood, friendship and cooperation to which all nations agreed to under the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Bill of Human Rights, and other national instruments on fundamental human rights.

Originality/Value

This is the first study to undertake a critical analysis of the COVID-19 stigmatizations and xenophobia on universal fundamental human rights and international relations. The study portrayed the level to which nations that are signatories to the international conventions on human and humanitarian rights seem to have jettisoned that because of the fear of COVID-19, and calls on all mankind to return back to the course of universal brotherhood and friendship – a win-win situation to everyone.