The ICC Under a New Threat

Since the ICC announced arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, the world has started to observe open equivocation from France and other European states about executing those arrest warrants. This inevitably raises the question whether it had been too easy in the past for nations of the West to profess “unflinching support” for the ICC when all the accused persons were Africans; even though the conducts of some of them (consider, for instance, the defendants from Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire) came nowhere close to the extravagant cruelty on full display in Gaza, despite rulings of the International Court of Justice and the relentless appeals of the UN Secretary General.

23. Dezember 2024

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Das AfD-Verbot in der Sackgasse?

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Nach vielen Monaten der öffentlichen Diskussion um die Einleitung eines Parteiverbotsverfahrens gegen die AfD liegt dem Bundestag nun eine fraktionsübergreifende Beschlussvorlage zur Abstimmung vor. Doch von der Einbringung der Beschlussvorlage in den Bundestag bis zur Einreichung einer entsprechenden Antragsschrift in Karlsruhe ist es noch ein weiter Weg, der infolge vorgezogener Neuwahlen und der damit einhergehenden Diskontinuität des Bundestages vorerst in eine Sackgasse führen dürfte.

23. Dezember 2024

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Blinded by Legality

The Venice Commission’s recent opinions on Poland’s judicial reforms have prioritized formal legality over substantive judicial independence. The Commission thereby effectively legitimizes the judiciary captured under the previous autocratic government. The Commission’s shift contrasts sharply with its own prior critiques and European court rulings, raising concerns that the Commission’s stance now shields autocracy under the guise of legality.

23. Dezember 2024

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Tendayi Achiume

Tendayi Achiume is a leading voice in international law, combining academic expertise with global advocacy to combat systemic racism, xenophobia, and gender discrimination. Her career is marked by an unwavering commitment to social justice, grounded in the belief that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for impactful knowledge production. Through her work, she has distinctively contributed to rethinking human rights in the context of colonial legacies and migration justice.

22. Dezember 2024

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Protecting Poland’s Public Media

In contrast to the slower-paced reforms in the judiciary, the new Polish government opted for swift and radical action in reforming public media during its first year. Political considerations often overshadowed strict adherence to the law in public media changes. However, public media showed improvement compared to their propagandist role under the previous administration. The media reform will be tested through its approach to revising legislation and following a constitutional procedure to appoint public media boards.

21. Dezember 2024

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Charting Change

The ongoing reform of the Polish Prosecution Service, initiated by separating the roles of Prosecutor General and Minister of Justice, aims to restore the rule of law and enhance the institution's independence and effectiveness. Yet, achieving this goal requires comprehensive reforms to address longstanding issues and external factors. Success hinges on legislative support, particularly from the Ministry of Justice, and overcoming resistance to change among prosecutors, marking a potential new era for the institution.

20. Dezember 2024

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One Size Does Not Fit All

Bereits wenige Tage nach dem Umsturz in Syrien ist eine Diskussion entbrannt, in der Forderungen nach sofortiger Rückkehr aller Syrer:innen laut werden. Daneben hat das BAMF beschlossen, alle anhängigen Asylverfahren mit syrischen Staatsangehörigen auszusetzen. Aus den Augen gerät dabei das Erfordernis einer einzelfallbezogenen Prüfung, was sowohl das Verfahren selbst, die Anerkennung als Flüchtling als auch den Widerruf einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis betrifft.

20. Dezember 2024

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One Year After Wałęsa v. Poland

Despite some progress, the Polish government faces immense political and structural hurdles in implementing ECtHR judgments concenring the rule of law. Because November 2025 marks one year since the ECtHR issued the pilot judgment in Wałęsa v. Poland, it is a good moment to reflect on the progress made by the current authorities in implementing ECtHR judgments. This post delves into the steps taken, the obstacles ahead, and the question of whether a coherent plan exists to navigate this legal and constitutional crisis.

20. Dezember 2024

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