29 February 2024
Pushing Back
The CJEU has pending before it a crucial case on the criminalisation of seeking asylum and assistance to those seeking protection. At this critical juncture, this blog post highlights a sample of important decisions in which courts, giving effect to constitutional and international legal principles, set legal limits on this form of criminalisation. These cases reflect not only the appropriate legal limits, but also acknowledge the character of irregular migration and smuggling. Rather than framing individuals as dangerous illegal migrants and exploitative smugglers, they reassert the humanity of both those in search of refuge and opportunity, and those that assist them. Continue reading >>
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24 November 2021
In Court for Saving Lives
The trial against human right defenders Séan Binder and Sarah Mardini was supposed to start on 18 November 2021 at the criminal Court on the Greek island of Lesvos. The core charge of the prosecution, the facilitation of irregular entry of third country nationals, is based on the EU Facilitator’s Package and Greek anti-smuggling laws, both of which are at variance with international law standards related to smuggling. The remaining charges pressed upon Binder and Mardini are excessive and likely to be proved unfounded for lack of sufficient evidence. The whole process is just another example of the ongoing criminalization of humanitarian assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Europe. Continue reading >>
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17 December 2015
Schengen und die versteckte Wiedereinführung der Grenzkontrollen
Verstößt es gegen Schengen, dass Busunternehmen gezwungen werden, die Pässe ihrer Kund/innen zu kontrollieren? Gut möglich, hat das Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg entschieden und dem Antrag eines Busunternehmen stattgegeben, das eine derartige Verfügung erhalten hatte. Das Verfahren ist über Deutschland hinaus von Bedeutung und könnte sich auch auf die Strafbarkeit des Schleusens auswirken, wenn man das Antidiskriminierungsrecht hinzuzieht. Continue reading >>
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