How can we enforce EU law and principles in Justice and Home Affairs policies during times of crisis?

Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) policies are now at the heart of European integration. During the last 30 years we have witnessed the impressive and dynamic adoption of a previously unthinkable body of EU JHA law, the setting up and expansion of EU agencies (e.g. Frontex, Europol, eu-LISA and the EU Asylum Agency) and technologies (e.g. databases and their interoperability).

JHA policies are now routed into the institutional foundations, decision-making parameters and principles enshrined in the EU Treaties. These policies are also highly vulnerable to declared crises – e.g. the refugee crisis in 2015/2016, the Covid-19 pandemic, or the ongoing migration-related controversies with the Belarusian, Moroccan and Turkish regimes. Policies have been passed in the name of crisis which raise a number of questions: first, their compatibility with the Treaty rules and principles, including the rule of law, human rights and refugee protection; and second, their impacts on the effective enforcement of Member States’ obligations under existing EU law standards. This session assesses these questions in light of the overall progress made and obstacles experienced in JHA cooperation during the past 30 years, and an assessment of the key unresolved issues which lay ahead.

The Session is taking place on 28 February 2023 at the SQUARE Convention Center (Brussels) and is by invitation-only. The Session will be delivered in English and in-person format.

For Further information, please contact: miriam.mir@ceps.eu

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