ISIL Hosts Special Lecture on Crimmigration and the EU Return Directive in New Delhi
ISIL hosted a special lecture on crimmigration and the EU Return Directive by Dr Aniel Pahladsingh. Scroll down to readmore!
The Indian Society of International Law (ISIL) organised a Special Lecture on “Crimmigration and the EU Return Directive” on 23 December 2025 at V. K. Krishna Menon Bhawan, with simultaneous online participation via Zoom.
Expert Lecture by Dr Aniel Pahladsingh
The lecture was delivered by Dr Aniel Pahladsingh, Member of the Dutch Human Rights Committee and Deputy Judge at the District Courts of Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Dr Pahladsingh’s presentation focused on the evolving concept of crimmigration—the intersection of criminal law and immigration law and examined the minimum standards and procedures established under the European Union Return Directive, which governs the return of third-country nationals illegally residing in EU Member States.
Fundamental Rights and EU Migration Framework
Emphasising the obligation of EU Member States to respect fundamental rights, Dr Pahladsingh critically analysed recent legislative developments aimed at balancing effective return measures with the protection of individual rights. He also discussed the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, highlighting its goal of creating a common, long-term framework for managing migration and asylum across the European Union.
In this context, he outlined the four core pillars of the new framework:
- Secure external borders
- Fast and efficient procedures
- An effective system of solidarity and responsibility
- Strengthened international partnerships
Special attention was given to the Asylum Procedure Regulation, including the proposal to introduce an EU list of safe countries of origin.
Engaging Discussion and Strong Participation
The lecture witnessed strong participation from scholars, legal practitioners, students, and members of the legal community. It concluded with an engaging discussion on contemporary challenges in international migration, asylum policy, and human rights law, reflecting the growing importance of crimmigration debates in global legal discourse.