European Union and its Neighbours in a Globalized World – serie

This book considers the European Union as a project with a major antidiscrimination goal, which is important to remember at a time of increasing resentment against particularly exposed groups, especially migrants, refugees, members of ethnic or religious minorities and LGBTI persons. While equality and non-discrimination have long been core principles of the international community as a whole, as is made obvious by the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they have shaped European integration in a particular way. The concepts of diversity, pluralism and equality have always been inherent in that process, the EU being virtually founded on the values of equality and non-discrimination. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU contains the most modern and extensive catalogue of prohibited grounds of discrimination, supplementing the catalogue enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. EU law has given new impulses to antidiscrimination law both within Europe and beyond. The contributions to this book focus on how effective and credible the EU has been in combatting discrimination inside and outside Europe. The authors present different (mostly legal) aspects of that topic and examine them from various intra- and extra-European angles.

This book considers the European Union as a project with a major antidiscrimination goal, which is important to remember at a time of increasing resentment against particularly exposed groups, especially migrants, refugees, members of ethnic or religious minorities and LGBTI persons. While equality and non-discrimination have long been core principles of the international community as a whole, as is made obvious by the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they have shaped European integration in a particular way. The concepts of diversity, pluralism and equality have always been inherent in that process, the EU being virtually founded on the values of equality and non-discrimination. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU contains the most modern and extensive catalogue of prohibited grounds of discrimination, supplementing the catalogue enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. EU law has given new impulses to antidiscrimination law both within Europe and beyond. The contributions to this book focus on how effective and credible the EU has been in combatting discrimination inside and outside Europe. The authors present different (mostly legal) aspects of that topic and examine them from various intra- and extra-European angles.

This book offers a general framework for a better understanding of the differences and similarities between the institutional rules of intergovernmental organizations that include parliamentary elements, and analyzes the role of various types of international parliamentary assemblies in the system of global governance, as well as insights into the process known as “parliamentarization of international organizations.” Firstly, it presents a case study of various types of international parliamentary assemblies, which is then used to analyze the law of particular international organizations that include parliamentary assemblies or relate to them. Secondly, the book compares two parliamentary assemblies of international organizations – the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) – in terms of structure, powers, and relations with their IGOs. It also investigates the activities of assemblies and their cooperations for the purpose to explore the positive effects of the work of international parliamentary assemblies and their potential for having an impact at the national level. Lastly, the book analyzes the tangible and desirable powers of international assemblies by comparing examples of existing international parliamentary assemblies with the UN Parliamentary Assembly project. Based on that, the author compiles a list of essential requirements and principles for effective international parliamentary assemblies.

This book offers a general framework for a better understanding of the differences and similarities between the institutional rules of intergovernmental organizations that include parliamentary elements, and analyzes the role of various types of international parliamentary assemblies in the system of global governance, as well as insights into the process known as “parliamentarization of international organizations.” Firstly, it presents a case study of various types of international parliamentary assemblies, which is then used to analyze the law of particular international organizations that include parliamentary assemblies or relate to them. Secondly, the book compares two parliamentary assemblies of international organizations – the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) – in terms of structure, powers, and relations with their IGOs. It also investigates the activities of assemblies and their cooperations for the purpose to explore the positive effects of the work of international parliamentary assemblies and their potential for having an impact at the national level. Lastly, the book analyzes the tangible and desirable powers of international assemblies by comparing examples of existing international parliamentary assemblies with the UN Parliamentary Assembly project. Based on that, the author compiles a list of essential requirements and principles for effective international parliamentary assemblies.

First introduced in the United States, whistleblower laws have become increasingly popular around the world. This book illustrates the regional efforts undertaken by European organizations to promote whistleblower protection in Europe. To provide context, the first part of the book presents an overview of the international best practices for whistleblowing legislation and explores the status of whistleblower under international law. It also assesses the global hot topics regarding whistleblowing, from the cases of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange to the silencing of whistleblowers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following parts focus on the European approach to whistleblower laws. It illustrates the influence of the Council of Europe in putting whistleblower protection on the European agenda and discusses the European Court of Human Rights’ case law on whistleblowing under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In the final part, the author analyzes the evolutionof the European Union’s approach to whistleblowing and the legal significance of the EU Whistleblower Directive adopted in 2019. In the respective parts, the author also examines the effectiveness of the international organizations’ own internal rules on whistleblowing, from the United Nations and the World Bank Group to the Council of Europe and the European Union.

First introduced in the United States, whistleblower laws have become increasingly popular around the world. This book illustrates the regional efforts undertaken by European organizations to promote whistleblower protection in Europe. To provide context, the first part of the book presents an overview of the international best practices for whistleblowing legislation and explores the status of whistleblower under international law. It also assesses the global hot topics regarding whistleblowing, from the cases of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange to the silencing of whistleblowers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following parts focus on the European approach to whistleblower laws. It illustrates the influence of the Council of Europe in putting whistleblower protection on the European agenda and discusses the European Court of Human Rights’ case law on whistleblowing under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In the final part, the author analyzes the evolutionof the European Union’s approach to whistleblowing and the legal significance of the EU Whistleblower Directive adopted in 2019. In the respective parts, the author also examines the effectiveness of the international organizations’ own internal rules on whistleblowing, from the United Nations and the World Bank Group to the Council of Europe and the European Union.

This book sheds new light on the potential application of EU law to situations arising outside EU territory, and its consequences. In today’s globalized world, EU law and the ECJ’s decisions have been calling for exceptions and defining new connecting elements that make the traditional approach of EU law, based on the territoriality principle, less straightforward. This is the case with e.g. the effects doctrine in the context of EU competition law, as was fully recognized after the ECJ’s Intel case. Moreover, recently approved rules concerning the EU’s internal market, EU environmental law and EU data protection law have made it more difficult to define the application of EU law in terms of a pure link to the territoriality principle. The book examines these and other problems from the perspectives of various branches of EU economic law. With regard to EU competition law it presents, among others, studies on the evolution of the effects doctrine in the US and the EU; extraterritoriality of competition law; global cartels; merger control; state aid and cooperation between NCAs. Furthermore, it includes several studies concerning extraterritorial issues in trade relations between the EU and China; EU screening regulation of foreign direct investments; EU trade agreements; EU investment law and EU financial services.The twenty-one contributing authors are internationally respected experts on EU law.

This book sheds new light on the potential application of EU law to situations arising outside EU territory, and its consequences. In today’s globalized world, EU law and the ECJ’s decisions have been calling for exceptions and defining new connecting elements that make the traditional approach of EU law, based on the territoriality principle, less straightforward. This is the case with e.g. the effects doctrine in the context of EU competition law, as was fully recognized after the ECJ’s Intel case. Moreover, recently approved rules concerning the EU’s internal market, EU environmental law and EU data protection law have made it more difficult to define the application of EU law in terms of a pure link to the territoriality principle. The book examines these and other problems from the perspectives of various branches of EU economic law. With regard to EU competition law it presents, among others, studies on the evolution of the effects doctrine in the US and the EU; extraterritoriality of competition law; global cartels; merger control; state aid and cooperation between NCAs. Furthermore, it includes several studies concerning extraterritorial issues in trade relations between the EU and China; EU screening regulation of foreign direct investments; EU trade agreements; EU investment law and EU financial services.The twenty-one contributing authors are internationally respected experts on EU law.

This book explores the current state of society in Europe in general and the regimes and societies of the Western Balkans in particular. The pandemic and near-universal lockdown have provided an ideal cut-off date for the collection of indices from reputable academic sources that cover the nature of these regimes, individual human freedoms, economic freedoms, the rule of law, human rights and media freedoms. The aggregated findings from the 20 individual indices provide comprehensive data to support original findings and the characterisation of societies in 45 European states. Admittedly, there are differences in the methodologies and samples among the indices consulted. Nonetheless, taken together they offer a solid basis for developing arguments concerning the diversity of regimes, governance and societies in Europe and drawing well-founded conclusions on the nature of society in various parts of Europe. Though the book’s main focus is on the Western Balkans, the region is put in a pan-European context. The issues of migration, minorities, global geopolitics, the crisis of liberal democracy – they all play into developments that are specific to the Western Balkans. The book answers the question of whether the pandemic has allowed local regimes to strengthen their power and exert greater control over society, making it possible to formulate arguments regarding the future of Europe and its integrative processes. In closing, the book investigates Western Balkan regimes’ reactions to the pandemic in the context of governance, society and state power, before addressing the question of whether the future of the Western Balkans lies in the “liberal club”, or whether local hybrid regimes will become even more influential in the near future.

This book explores the current state of society in Europe in general and the regimes and societies of the Western Balkans in particular. The pandemic and near-universal lockdown have provided an ideal cut-off date for the collection of indices from reputable academic sources that cover the nature of these regimes, individual human freedoms, economic freedoms, the rule of law, human rights and media freedoms. The aggregated findings from the 20 individual indices provide comprehensive data to support original findings and the characterisation of societies in 45 European states. Admittedly, there are differences in the methodologies and samples among the indices consulted. Nonetheless, taken together they offer a solid basis for developing arguments concerning the diversity of regimes, governance and societies in Europe and drawing well-founded conclusions on the nature of society in various parts of Europe. Though the book’s main focus is on the Western Balkans, the region is put in a pan-European context. The issues of migration, minorities, global geopolitics, the crisis of liberal democracy – they all play into developments that are specific to the Western Balkans. The book answers the question of whether the pandemic has allowed local regimes to strengthen their power and exert greater control over society, making it possible to formulate arguments regarding the future of Europe and its integrative processes. In closing, the book investigates Western Balkan regimes’ reactions to the pandemic in the context of governance, society and state power, before addressing the question of whether the future of the Western Balkans lies in the “liberal club”, or whether local hybrid regimes will become even more influential in the near future.

“Can I choose to die?” As the number of requests for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide continues to rise, human rights law faces a new conflict: the right to die vs. the right to life…  The right to die or, in other words, ‘the right to choose the time and manner of one’s own death’ is a question of personal autonomy and its limits. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of the right to die and sheds light on its possible future under the European Convention on Human Rights. After setting a clear framework by defining the key terminology, the book takes a two-part approach to achieving its aim.The first part focuses on the right to die in practice by examining selected jurisdictions. Switzerland, which is famous for its assisted suicide organizations, and the Netherlands, which was the first country to legalize euthanasia, are examined in detail. Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and -as an exception to the Convention perspective - Canadaare also included. While this examination offers a better understanding of what the right to die looks like in practice, it also provides insights on the slippery slope argument, which serves as a counterweight to personal autonomy, without making a definitive statement on its validity. This part also illustrates the different paths that led or did not lead to the right to die in practice. The second part is an analysis of the European Court of Human Rights case law on the right to die. The Court has made important statements in only very cases, while its caution when approaching such a delicate and controversial topic among its 47 members is understandably emphasized. This analysis of the Court’s approach to the balancing of personal autonomy against other interests allows us to take a look back at the practice in more permissive jurisdictions through the lens of the Convention. Taken together, the book’s two parts provide valuable lessons for countries that decideto practice assisted dying, which are outlined in the conclusion. In addition, given that a purely legal approach can only offer a partial picture, the book argues that an interdisciplinary approach would be much more favorable in terms of providing the necessary basis for the right to die debate.

“Can I choose to die?” As the number of requests for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide continues to rise, human rights law faces a new conflict: the right to die vs. the right to life…  The right to die or, in other words, ‘the right to choose the time and manner of one’s own death’ is a question of personal autonomy and its limits. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of the right to die and sheds light on its possible future under the European Convention on Human Rights. After setting a clear framework by defining the key terminology, the book takes a two-part approach to achieving its aim.The first part focuses on the right to die in practice by examining selected jurisdictions. Switzerland, which is famous for its assisted suicide organizations, and the Netherlands, which was the first country to legalize euthanasia, are examined in detail. Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and -as an exception to the Convention perspective - Canadaare also included. While this examination offers a better understanding of what the right to die looks like in practice, it also provides insights on the slippery slope argument, which serves as a counterweight to personal autonomy, without making a definitive statement on its validity. This part also illustrates the different paths that led or did not lead to the right to die in practice. The second part is an analysis of the European Court of Human Rights case law on the right to die. The Court has made important statements in only very cases, while its caution when approaching such a delicate and controversial topic among its 47 members is understandably emphasized. This analysis of the Court’s approach to the balancing of personal autonomy against other interests allows us to take a look back at the practice in more permissive jurisdictions through the lens of the Convention. Taken together, the book’s two parts provide valuable lessons for countries that decideto practice assisted dying, which are outlined in the conclusion. In addition, given that a purely legal approach can only offer a partial picture, the book argues that an interdisciplinary approach would be much more favorable in terms of providing the necessary basis for the right to die debate.

This is an increasingly timely book, focusing on issues arising from the impact of COVID-19 on the health care law of the Central and East European countries. It deals with dualism and system of health care law, depicts legal personality in the field of health care, examines property rights and turnover of human tissues, considers moral rights in this field, intellectual ownership in the field of medicine and pharmacy, contracts on health care and contracts on rendering medical services, the legal relationships of transplantology, post-mortem reproduction and donorship, features of family personal property rights in the field of health care, problems of legal regulation of medical workers labour, investigates private legal relationships of surrogate motherhood with foreign element. Special attention is given to the alternative resolution of health care disputes and impact of pandemic on the effective health rights protection. The book is intended for wide auditoria of scholars and practitioners, who engaged in health care rights protection, as well as judges and practicing lawyers, graduate and undergraduate students.

This is an increasingly timely book, focusing on issues arising from the impact of COVID-19 on the health care law of the Central and East European countries. It deals with dualism and system of health care law, depicts legal personality in the field of health care, examines property rights and turnover of human tissues, considers moral rights in this field, intellectual ownership in the field of medicine and pharmacy, contracts on health care and contracts on rendering medical services, the legal relationships of transplantology, post-mortem reproduction and donorship, features of family personal property rights in the field of health care, problems of legal regulation of medical workers labour, investigates private legal relationships of surrogate motherhood with foreign element. Special attention is given to the alternative resolution of health care disputes and impact of pandemic on the effective health rights protection. The book is intended for wide auditoria of scholars and practitioners, who engaged in health care rights protection, as well as judges and practicing lawyers, graduate and undergraduate students.

This book analyses the current legal situation and protection of vulnerable groups in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland. In recent decades, national legislation in many European states has especially focused on vulnerable groups with the aim of securing their enhanced protection and social inclusion. This trend is also noticeable in North-Eastern Europe, where the legal frameworks are constantly being revised to address the needs of vulnerable parts of society, including women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and minorities, as well as prisoners and victims of crime. But despite these positive changes, many challenges persist. In this book, the authors provide a comprehensive, comparative analysis of legal regulations and practices intended to protect vulnerable groups in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, and in the process, share insights into the current situation and trends in this often-overlooked region. Part I introduces readers to the topic by defining the concept of vulnerable groups and elaborating on its understanding in the European and national contexts. Part II analyses the legal protection of groups characterised by inherent and/or circumstantial vulnerability, while Part III addresses specific crime-related vulnerability issues in the target region. In closing, Part IV puts the spotlight on three specific vulnerable groups in the discussed countries.

This book analyses the current legal situation and protection of vulnerable groups in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland. In recent decades, national legislation in many European states has especially focused on vulnerable groups with the aim of securing their enhanced protection and social inclusion. This trend is also noticeable in North-Eastern Europe, where the legal frameworks are constantly being revised to address the needs of vulnerable parts of society, including women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and minorities, as well as prisoners and victims of crime. But despite these positive changes, many challenges persist. In this book, the authors provide a comprehensive, comparative analysis of legal regulations and practices intended to protect vulnerable groups in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, and in the process, share insights into the current situation and trends in this often-overlooked region. Part I introduces readers to the topic by defining the concept of vulnerable groups and elaborating on its understanding in the European and national contexts. Part II analyses the legal protection of groups characterised by inherent and/or circumstantial vulnerability, while Part III addresses specific crime-related vulnerability issues in the target region. In closing, Part IV puts the spotlight on three specific vulnerable groups in the discussed countries.

This book offers an authentic and original perspective on the principles of solidarity and rule of law that are variously interconnected and increasingly invoked in international relations and affairs, especially in the context of the European Union, where they are among the founding values common to all Member States.The innovative approach the authors adopt consists in the joint reading of these two principles within the broader framework of EU security, thus offering a new interpretation and fertile ground for further research.Divided into four parts, the authors consider EU security to be linked to the implementation of both these principles, particularly with regard to EU stabilization and enlargement to the Western Balkans, cross-border security, migration and asylum management, criminal justice and human rights, and police and judicial cooperationThe contributions of eminent scholars, international experts,and practitioners are the book’s greatest strength. In addition, it offers a valuable new perspective on the study of contemporary issues affecting the Western Balkans, but also all Member States and the Union itself. Therefore, the book is an essential resource for students and scholars of EU law, but also for lawyers and professionals involved in criminal proceedings or working in the field of human rights.

This book offers an authentic and original perspective on the principles of solidarity and rule of law that are variously interconnected and increasingly invoked in international relations and affairs, especially in the context of the European Union, where they are among the founding values common to all Member States.The innovative approach the authors adopt consists in the joint reading of these two principles within the broader framework of EU security, thus offering a new interpretation and fertile ground for further research.Divided into four parts, the authors consider EU security to be linked to the implementation of both these principles, particularly with regard to EU stabilization and enlargement to the Western Balkans, cross-border security, migration and asylum management, criminal justice and human rights, and police and judicial cooperationThe contributions of eminent scholars, international experts,and practitioners are the book’s greatest strength. In addition, it offers a valuable new perspective on the study of contemporary issues affecting the Western Balkans, but also all Member States and the Union itself. Therefore, the book is an essential resource for students and scholars of EU law, but also for lawyers and professionals involved in criminal proceedings or working in the field of human rights.

This open access book presents innovative strategies to address cross-cutting topics and foster transversal competences. The modernization of European legal education presents a compelling challenge that calls for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration among academic disciplines and innovative teaching methods. The volume introduces venues towards education innovation and engages with complex and emerging topics such as datafication, climate change, gender, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The insights presented not only emphasize the importance of preserving traditional approaches to legal disciplines and passing them on to future generations, but also underscore the need to critically reassess and revolutionize existing structures. As our societies become more diverse and our understanding of legitimacy, justice, and values undergoes transformations, it is imperative to reconsider the role of traditional values while exploring promising alternative approaches.

This open access book presents innovative strategies to address cross-cutting topics and foster transversal competences. The modernization of European legal education presents a compelling challenge that calls for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration among academic disciplines and innovative teaching methods. The volume introduces venues towards education innovation and engages with complex and emerging topics such as datafication, climate change, gender, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The insights presented not only emphasize the importance of preserving traditional approaches to legal disciplines and passing them on to future generations, but also underscore the need to critically reassess and revolutionize existing structures. As our societies become more diverse and our understanding of legitimacy, justice, and values undergoes transformations, it is imperative to reconsider the role of traditional values while exploring promising alternative approaches.

This book examines human rights and penitentiary law in Central Eastern European and Latin American countries from a comparative perspective. How are penitentiary systems and human rights currently being transformed in both regions? This question guides contributors hailing from both Central Eastern Europe and Latin America, filling the gaps at both the international and national level. The book compares Central Eastern European countries with Latin American countries, shedding new light on similarities and differences alike.The main themes of this book are the analysis of penitentiary systems in different countries and a general analysis of criminal and criminological issues. The respective chapters examine how penitentiary laws are changing within different contexts and regulatory regimes. The book seeks to cross boundaries to understand new divisions, fragmentations, and forms of authoritarianism in today’s world, more specifically in Poland, North Macedonia, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Mexico.

This book examines human rights and penitentiary law in Central Eastern European and Latin American countries from a comparative perspective. How are penitentiary systems and human rights currently being transformed in both regions? This question guides contributors hailing from both Central Eastern Europe and Latin America, filling the gaps at both the international and national level. The book compares Central Eastern European countries with Latin American countries, shedding new light on similarities and differences alike.The main themes of this book are the analysis of penitentiary systems in different countries and a general analysis of criminal and criminological issues. The respective chapters examine how penitentiary laws are changing within different contexts and regulatory regimes. The book seeks to cross boundaries to understand new divisions, fragmentations, and forms of authoritarianism in today’s world, more specifically in Poland, North Macedonia, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Mexico.

There are any number of studies on Turkish secularism. However, to date there has never been a comprehensive analysis of the constitutional protection of secularism, one that systematically covers all relevant aspects. Addressing that gap, this book presents a comprehensive and coherent analysis of the constitutional framework of this principle within the Turkish legal system.Secularism is a common fundamental principle of all three Turkish constitutions (1924, 1961, 1982). The principle has been granted an irrevocable status and has been strictly constructed within the Turkish constitutional system. Despite the guarantee of irrevocability, however, its interpretation and application have undergone a drastic transformation in response to changing social and political circumstances.Today, the complaints filed before the domestic and international judiciary predominantly concern the Turkish State’s neutrality and impartiality towards religion and the exercise of freedom of religion by religious minorities. While many observers have interpreted these problems in light of the contemporary policies pursued in the field of religion, a closer look reveals that the problem lies deeper in Turkey’s general constitutional framework. While the 1982 Constitution declares the principle as an unamendable characteristic of the Republic and protects it with multi-layered mechanisms, certain anti-democratic features of the Constitution, including the President’s predominant role in forming the high-ranking judiciary, affect the proper and consistent application of the principle of secularism.The consolidation of the secular state order depends on various factors other than a suitable constitution. However, it goes without saying that constitutions can help or hinder efforts to find solutions. Therefore, this book identifies the deficiencies in the Turkish constitutional and legal framework regarding the protection of secularism. It presents the historical development and definition of a secular state, analyzes the jurisprudence of the Turkish Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, studies the application of the party prohibition mechanism as a means of protecting the principle, and assesses the constitutional amendments of 2001, 2010 and 2017. Moreover, it proposes much-needed constitutional and legal amendments with a view to improving the application of the principle of secularism.

There are any number of studies on Turkish secularism. However, to date there has never been a comprehensive analysis of the constitutional protection of secularism, one that systematically covers all relevant aspects. Addressing that gap, this book presents a comprehensive and coherent analysis of the constitutional framework of this principle within the Turkish legal system.Secularism is a common fundamental principle of all three Turkish constitutions (1924, 1961, 1982). The principle has been granted an irrevocable status and has been strictly constructed within the Turkish constitutional system. Despite the guarantee of irrevocability, however, its interpretation and application have undergone a drastic transformation in response to changing social and political circumstances.Today, the complaints filed before the domestic and international judiciary predominantly concern the Turkish State’s neutrality and impartiality towards religion and the exercise of freedom of religion by religious minorities. While many observers have interpreted these problems in light of the contemporary policies pursued in the field of religion, a closer look reveals that the problem lies deeper in Turkey’s general constitutional framework. While the 1982 Constitution declares the principle as an unamendable characteristic of the Republic and protects it with multi-layered mechanisms, certain anti-democratic features of the Constitution, including the President’s predominant role in forming the high-ranking judiciary, affect the proper and consistent application of the principle of secularism.The consolidation of the secular state order depends on various factors other than a suitable constitution. However, it goes without saying that constitutions can help or hinder efforts to find solutions. Therefore, this book identifies the deficiencies in the Turkish constitutional and legal framework regarding the protection of secularism. It presents the historical development and definition of a secular state, analyzes the jurisprudence of the Turkish Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, studies the application of the party prohibition mechanism as a means of protecting the principle, and assesses the constitutional amendments of 2001, 2010 and 2017. Moreover, it proposes much-needed constitutional and legal amendments with a view to improving the application of the principle of secularism.

This open access book brings together experts from both EU competition law as well fundamental rights backgrounds, discussing the most recent developments in EU legislation on digitalisation. Most prominently, it explores the recently introduced Digital Markets Act (DMA), including a discussion on other related legislative acts and the respective case law. It is aimed mostly at academics and researchers in the area of digitalisation, EU competition law, and the EU Charter, but will also provide some useful insights from practitioners in the field. The internet has long been neglected and exempt from being regulated at EU level. In particular, this concerns the application of fundamental rights. The specific challenges for the digital sphere are numerous; worldwide scope, easy access, interoperability, rapid technological change, fluctuating market conditions, anonymity, disinformation, lack of traceability and thus enforcement, to name but a few. Fundamental EU values, in particular including democracy and the respect for human rights, have suffered as a direct result of these growing problems in the digital sphere. More recently, however, the EU has started to actively regulate the new technologies in order to avoid European values being undermined by an unregulated internet. In the specific field of competition law, the development of new technologies has created many challenges and raised questions for the legislator how to regulate big market players: their cross-border nature, vicissitudes, and enormous market powers allow some of them to be able to escape legal scrutiny under the current set of ex-post rules. The DMA now introduces an ex-ante mechanism for competition law and claims to be aligned with the procedural and institutional rights granted under the Charter, which will be scrutinised and challenged by the various contributions in this book.

This open access book brings together experts from both EU competition law as well fundamental rights backgrounds, discussing the most recent developments in EU legislation on digitalisation. Most prominently, it explores the recently introduced Digital Markets Act (DMA), including a discussion on other related legislative acts and the respective case law. It is aimed mostly at academics and researchers in the area of digitalisation, EU competition law, and the EU Charter, but will also provide some useful insights from practitioners in the field. The internet has long been neglected and exempt from being regulated at EU level. In particular, this concerns the application of fundamental rights. The specific challenges for the digital sphere are numerous; worldwide scope, easy access, interoperability, rapid technological change, fluctuating market conditions, anonymity, disinformation, lack of traceability and thus enforcement, to name but a few. Fundamental EU values, in particular including democracy and the respect for human rights, have suffered as a direct result of these growing problems in the digital sphere. More recently, however, the EU has started to actively regulate the new technologies in order to avoid European values being undermined by an unregulated internet. In the specific field of competition law, the development of new technologies has created many challenges and raised questions for the legislator how to regulate big market players: their cross-border nature, vicissitudes, and enormous market powers allow some of them to be able to escape legal scrutiny under the current set of ex-post rules. The DMA now introduces an ex-ante mechanism for competition law and claims to be aligned with the procedural and institutional rights granted under the Charter, which will be scrutinised and challenged by the various contributions in this book.

The book analyses state of play regarding regional level of government in the countries of South East Europe, particularly countries succeeding former Yugoslavia (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia) using the research methods from the fields of Law, Public Administration and Political Science. The book offers fresh analytical perspective of the regional self-government issues in these countries, out of which every country has particular issues to deal with. Be it controversial territorial restructuring debate (Croatia), complex institutional system (B&H), dealing with territorial concentrated ethnic minorities (Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia) or the issue of small size and non/existence of regional forces (Slovenia, Montenegro). Besides the introductory (methodological) and concluding (synthesis, trends and issues for further research) chapters, the book contains country chapters written by experts from a particular country in the region who follow the same chapter structure which allows further comparisons. Besides that, the book contains three chapters on several cross-cutting issues such as position of ethnic minorities and their territorial (regional) concentration and institutional representation in the overall system of local and regional self-government, analysis of regional political parties and movements that influence the debate in these countries, and the analysis of position and interplay of decontenrated state administration and regional self-government in analysed countries.

The book analyses state of play regarding regional level of government in the countries of South East Europe, particularly countries succeeding former Yugoslavia (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia) using the research methods from the fields of Law, Public Administration and Political Science. The book offers fresh analytical perspective of the regional self-government issues in these countries, out of which every country has particular issues to deal with. Be it controversial territorial restructuring debate (Croatia), complex institutional system (B&H), dealing with territorial concentrated ethnic minorities (Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia) or the issue of small size and non/existence of regional forces (Slovenia, Montenegro). Besides the introductory (methodological) and concluding (synthesis, trends and issues for further research) chapters, the book contains country chapters written by experts from a particular country in the region who follow the same chapter structure which allows further comparisons. Besides that, the book contains three chapters on several cross-cutting issues such as position of ethnic minorities and their territorial (regional) concentration and institutional representation in the overall system of local and regional self-government, analysis of regional political parties and movements that influence the debate in these countries, and the analysis of position and interplay of decontenrated state administration and regional self-government in analysed countries.

Online platforms and their ecosystems are the cornerstone of the digital economy. They have brought forth positive network effects. But they are also known for their information asymmetries, their potential for market failures and their problematic relationship with data protection law. This volume provides a detailed analysis of the current process of repositioning online platforms in the digital economy as regulators express concerns about the evolution from mere intermediaries to gatekeepers. The exclusive reliance on competition law instruments has proven to be incapable of coping with cases of platforms abusing their market power. Therefore, the book explores the European Union's new approach to digital markets consisting in the adoption or drafting of new legislative instruments, such as the Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, Proposal of AI Act, Proposal of Data Act, Proposal of Data Governance Act. The EU's emphasis on new regulatory ex ante instruments (as in the Digital Markets Act) calls for an assessment of their overlap or their interface with existing supranational and national competition rules.The book transcends mere competition law thinking by exploring the status of online platforms from the perspective of trade law rules, unfair competition law, data protection rules and intellectual property law. But in view of the global reach of online platforms, the risks of a jurisdiction-wise approach with conflicting regulatory strategies are all too clear. The volume therefore includes comparative studies on Australia and the USA. The potential impact of regulatory policy choices will also be assessed from the economic perspective. The book's message is not be confined to researchers and academics. It is also of great importance to practitioners in the digital sector who stand to benefit from the analysis of the law of online platforms, undertaken by a working group of renowned authors coming from different jurisdictions.