Legitimizing Heresy through Law

In the heart of Europe, a troubling commemoration persists. On May 18, Croatia observed a remembrance day that honors the memory of those killed in Bleiburg in 1945 – a group that included members of the Ustasha movement, a Nazi collaborationist faction during WWII. Established by law, this memorial day controversially depicts Ustasha as fighters for Croatia’s freedom and independence. Such a narrative not only distorts historical facts but dishonors the memory of the victims of Ustasha atrocities. Additionally, it affirms values contrary to the country’s Constitution and fails to align with international standards on memorialization and the EU politics of memory.

13. Juni 2024

, , , ,

Between Continuity and a Perforated ›Cordon Sanitaire‹

Fears of a radical right-wing wave dominated the debates leading up to the European Parliament (EP) elections. As the final votes are tallied across the 27 EU Member States, it has become evident that the predictions of pre-election polls have partially come true: Far-right parties secured about a quarter of the popular vote. What are the implications? While the current results likely indicate by-and-large continuity in the European Parliament, including an ongoing shift to the right on contested issues such as migration or climate policy, they had heavily disruptive consequences on the national level, which in France has resulted in snap parliamentary elections. This will have pronounced impact on the balance of power in the (European) Council and on the EU as a whole.

13. Juni 2024

, , ,

The Unintended Consequences of Mandatory Due Diligence

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) seeks improvements in companies’ societal impacts but carries risks of negative impacts, including on the developing countries where some supposed beneficiaries are located. Does the CSDDD recognise and mitigate such risks? The blog identifies provisions in the CSDDD that address the unintended consequences that mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence requirements might have in developing countries.

13. Juni 2024

, ,

Two Steps Forward?

On May 25 2024 the Advocate General Nicholas Emiliou delivered his opinion in the Case C-406/22 CV v Ministerstvo vnitra České republiky, Odbor azylové a migrační politiky on several issues regarding the application of the safe country of origin (SCO) concept. The case could have significant impact on SCO policies of several EU Member States and the rights of refugees as it addresses the possibility of designating countries as safe with territorial exceptions as well as a more active approach to judicial review of SCO designations. If adopted by the CJEU, the AG’s suggestions could serve to enhance refugee protection, though the adoption of the Pact on Migration and Asylum might possibly counteract this.

12. Juni 2024

, , ,

More of the same or true evolution?

While rights holders are not expressly mentioned as a group of stakeholders in CSDDD, the adoption of this important legislation creates a significant opportunity to involve rights holders to define how the content of the stand-alone article on stakeholder engagement can be filled with legal meaning by soliciting them directly.

12. Juni 2024

Gelungene Änderungen und verpasste Chancen

Am 6. Juni 2024 hat der Deutsche Bundestag nach einer letzten Aussprache das Gesetz zur Fortentwicklung des Völkerstrafrechts verabschiedet. Die Reform war lange überfällig. Die Reform führt im Sinne der erklärten Ziele tatsächlich zur Schließung von Strafbarkeitslücken. Inwiefern Völkerstrafverfahren für die Überlebenden selbst und für die Zivilgesellschaften der Tatortstaaten langfristig zugänglicher werden, liegt nun allerdings im Ermessen der Gerichte und bleibt abzuwarten.

12. Juni 2024

,

Should a Convicted Felon be the Next President of the US?

On Thursday, May 30th, 2024, former President Trump was convicted in New York City by a jury of thirty-four criminal charges consisting of falsifying business records with the intend to deceive. Regardless of his tirade against the American legal system, he stands as a convicted felon unless he could prove otherwise on appeal. This is an unprecedented conviction. Mr. Trump is the first American president who has been criminally convicted. Lamentably, the republican establishment continues to stand by the former president and to question the legality of this trial thereby challenging the integrity of the rule of law.

11. Juni 2024

, ,

Nothing but your own Constitution?

The recent report on Germany by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights following her visit in late 2023 records an alarming situation regarding social inequality in Germany. The document criticizes Germany for its approach to combat social inequality. Similarly harsh in tone reads the statement by the Federal Government on the Commissioner’s report, claiming the situation not to be as alarming as presented and the German law to have been misinterpreted. What’s it all about?

11. Juni 2024

,

Protecting the Freedom to Express the »Thought that we Hate«

Das Schweizer Bundesverwaltungsgericht hat in einem Urteil vom 7. Mai 2024 die Schutzgewährung für das Zeichen „Bimbo QSR“ einer mexikanischen Lebensmittelfirma verneint. Das Gericht hielt auf Grundlage des Art. 2 lit. d des Schweizer Markenschutzgesetzes (MschG) fest, dass „das mehrdeutige Wort "Bimbo" auch als rassistisches Schimpfwort verstanden“ werde und es damit den absoluten Ausschlussgrund der Sittenwidrigkeit erfülle. US Bundesgerichte gehen diese Thematik interessanterweise genau umgekehrt an und setzten die Kompatibilität einer derartigen Schutzverweigerung mit der Meinungsfreiheit ins Zentrum ihrer Analyse.

11. Juni 2024

Delegitimizing by Procrastinating

&

In countries where populist movements have garnered significant electoral support, their self-proclaimed role as the sole representatives of the true will of a unified people has led them to assert that their democratic legitimacy surpasses the technocratic authority of constitutional courts. The requirement of supermajorities in the election of Italy's constitutional judges has, in combination with a changed political landscape, led to political deadlocks, entailing the risk of jeopardizing the Court’s operability and partisanship-based appointments.

11. Juni 2024

, , , ,