22 Apr 2022 by Ludwig Boltzmann

Consultation Workshop for EU judges at the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Trier, 21 and 22 April 2016

On 21 and 22 April 2016, an interesting and stimulating consultation workshop for EU judges took place at the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Trier within the framework of the EU-funded project on “Strengthening cooperation between the judiciary and torture monitoring bodies in the European Union”. The project intends to increase the cooperation between the judiciary and National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) with the aim to improve the rights of detainees within the EU through a more fundamental rights compliant implementation of EU law.

The event was opened by Dr. Wolfgang Heusel (ERA), and chaired by Ramin Farinpour (ERA). In the first workshop dedicated to EU Judges, Tiphanie Crittin (head of project) presented the findings of the project´s Baseline Study, focusing on the fundamental rights challenges linked to mutual trust as well as the cooperation between judges and NPMs. Judge Nina Marx presented the most recent cases she brought to the CJEU (Aranyosi/Căldăraru) on the effect of detention conditions on the EAW executions Michaël Meysman (IRCP) then pointed out to the general fundamental rights challenges within the context of EU instruments on detention, whereas Dr. Jonas Grimheden (FRA) presented the findings from FRA´s study on fundamental rights in detention and alternatives in EU cross-border criminal proceedings. Finally, Dr. Antonius van Kalmthout (CPT) highlighted the different detention conditions across Europe and CPT’s role.

On the second day, Mari Amos (SPT) presented the role and functions of NPMs and SPT, while Gerrit Zach (Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights – LBI-GMR) showed the potential areas of cooperation between the monitoring bodies and EU judicial authorities. Moritz Birk (LBI-GMR) chaired several sessions and facilitated two working groups in which judges debated on issues related to the EAW and fundamental rights. Jean Tomkin (ERA) was the rapporteur of the event.