Book on Sentencing Mentally Disordered Offenders and the ECHR

Candan Yilmaz of the University of Groningen has published the book Sentencing Mentally Disordered Offenders: comparing provisions in Türkiye, England and Wales, and the Netherlands to the ECHR framework with Groningen University Press. The book, based on her PhD dissertation, is available to everyone open access. This is the summary:

'This publication offers a unique comparative analysis of the sentencing of mentally disordered offenders in Türkiye, England and Wales, and the Netherlands, exploring the alignment of these systems with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). While the presence of mental disorders impacts criminal responsibility, the legal responses and practices differ significantly across jurisdictions.

The complex sanctioning system in Türkiye faced substantial challenges due to the absence of secure forensic psychiatric facilities until 2018. Despite legal mandates, mentally disordered offenders were often either released or unlawfully detained in prisons, creating a prolonged gap between law and practice. The research highlights how the situation evolved and assesses the lingering issues, which were exacerbated by delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to contextualize the criminal justice system of Türkiye, comparisons are drawn with the criminal justice systems of the Netherlands and England and Wales, two jurisdictions which have distinct and unique frameworks for mentally disordered offenders. The eminent TBS (terbeschikkingstelling) system of the Netherlands and the bifurcated sentencing approach in England and Wales provide valuable points of reference.

This publication is of significance in the field of legal academic literature given the paucity of research on the Turkish criminal justice system, carried out in languages other than Turkish. It evaluates the degree to which these systems adhere to or deviate from ECHR standards, thereby providing insights that facilitate improved compliance with human rights requirements. By bridging comparative legal traditions and identifying best practices, this research holds significant societal and academic relevance.'

Conference on EU Accession to the ECHR

On 15 and 16 May 2025, the Faculty of Law of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the School of Law and Social Justice of the University of Liverpool, and the journals Lex & Forum and the ECHR Law Review are co-organizing a workshop entitled 'EU Accession to the ECHR: Procedural Hurdles and Prospects Before the ECtHR'. The workshop will take place in Thessaloniki in Greece, with the first day being organized in a hybrid format. The workshop will focus on the implications of the EU's accession to the ECHR. This is the description of the workshop:

'In 2023, a new Draft Accession Agreement (DAA) was finalised, raising hopes that the EU will finally accede to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This development promises significant benefits, including enhanced access to justice for victims of human rights violations and greater accountability, as the EU will come under the scrutiny of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). However, the accession remains a highly complex endeavour. While much scholarship has examined the structural features of the DAA, particularly the new framework designed to accommodate the EU as a unique international legal entity, little attention has been given to the procedural implications. This workshop seeks to address this gap, focusing on select procedural hurdles and prospects pertaining to litigation before the ECtHR and the enforcement of judgments after accession. Over two days, scholars and practitioners will explore these crucial yet overlooked dimensions of the EU accession to the ECHR.'

The full programme and more detailed information can be found here.

A link to the registration form can be found here.

Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights

On Thursday 24 April from 09:00 to 13:00, the European Society of International Law (ESIL) and the European Court of Human Rights are co-organizing a workshop entitled 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: New Horizons in European Legal Protection'. The conference will focus on human rights protection in Europe in the age of artificial intelligence. This is the description of the event:

'In an era of unprecedented technological transformation, artificial intelligence stands at the critical intersection of innovation and human dignity. As AI systems increasingly penetrate the most intimate spheres of human experience—adjudicating rights, mediating social interactions, and reshaping individual autonomy—international legal institutions face an existential challenge: How do we preserve the fundamental principles of human rights in a landscape increasingly governed by algorithmic logic?

This conference represents a pivotal moment of collective reflection by key legal academics and international judges. We stand at a watershed where technological capability must be harmonized with ethical imperatives, where the abstract principles of human rights must be translated into concrete protections against the potential depersonalization of technological systems. Our goal transcends mere academic discourse; we seek to construct a normative framework that anticipates and mitigates the profound human rights challenges emerging from AI's rapid evolution. 

By bringing together the judicial wisdom of the European Court of Human Rights and the scholarly depth of international legal experts, we aspire to develop a sophisticated, forward-looking approach that: 

- Recognizes AI as a dynamic field requiring adaptive legal interpretation 

- Preserves human agency and individual dignity in technological ecosystems 

- Considers anticipatory legal mechanisms that protect fundamental rights 

- Establishes international collaborative standards for responsible AI C governance'

The progamme can be found here. Registration is mandatory and can be submitted here.