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Exceptions to blanket anonymity for the publication of interviews with refugees: African refugees in Israel as a case study

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mollie Gerver

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Abstract

Literature on the ethics of researching refugees, both as participants and partners, presents strong arguments for why anonymity is the safer option in the event of questionable consent. However, blanket anonymity, without asking refugee interviewees if they wish to be anonymous, may cause more harm than good in certain contexts. One such context which this article will explore is the context of Israel, where a working Refugee Status Determination (RSD) system has yet to be established. This case study highlights that, even in extreme circumstances where identity exposure can create risks, there may be a case for allowing identity exposure and perhaps an obligation on the part of the researcher to publish a name if this is the strong wish of the interviewee. This article builds on literature addressing confidentiality of identities and literature addressing informed consent. Primary sources demonstrating the use of waiving anonymity were collected between 2007 and 2012. Data were collected from refugee and activist civil society publications, television and newspaper media reports, participatory observation in the Israeli Knesset, and in-depth interviews with refugees and asylum seekers from South Sudan, Sudan, DR Congo, Liberia and Eritrea living in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Eilat.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Gerver M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Research Ethics

Year: 2013

Volume: 9

Issue: 3

Pages: 121-139

Print publication date: 01/09/2013

Online publication date: 20/03/2013

ISSN (print): 1747-0161

ISSN (electronic): 2047-6094

Publisher: Sage

URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1747016113481176

DOI: 10.1177/1747016113481176

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