The importance of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in the context of the weakening of EU mechanisms for the protection of the right to asylum

Dorota Ferenc-Kopeć

University of the National Education Comission, Krakow , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6801-2054


Abstract

The present paper analyses the role of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in counteracting the fragmentation of the refugee protection system in Europe, with particular emphasis on cases concerning push-back, detention and lack of access to asylum procedures. In the context of selective implementation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and growing political tensions, the Court in Strasbourg serves as the last guarantor of the fundamental rights of foreigners. Based on an analysis of selected judgments, including M.K. and others v. Poland, D.A. and others v. Poland, and H.Q. and others v. Hungary, the paper indicates the growing significance of the normative minimum set by the ECHR. At the same time, it offers a critical reflection on the structural limitations of this institution and the prospective avenues for strengthening its role. The study was conducted using the dogmatic-legal method supplemented by desk research.

Keywords:

European Court of Human Rights, push-back, non-refoulement, refugees, asylum policy, CEAS



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Published
2026-03-31


Ferenc-Kopeć, D. (2026). Znaczenie orzecznictwa Europejskiego Trybunału Praw Człowieka wobec osłabienia unijnych mechanizmów ochrony prawa do azylu. Studia Prawnicze KUL, (1), 27–41. https://doi.org/10.31743/sp.18798

Dorota Ferenc-Kopeć  dorota.ferenc-kopec@uken.krakow.pl
University of the National Education Comission, Krakow https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6801-2054



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