This thesis examines the link between social media and democratic backsliding in Europe, highlighting a paradox in European norms that allows democratic backsliding through social media platforms....Show moreThis thesis examines the link between social media and democratic backsliding in Europe, highlighting a paradox in European norms that allows democratic backsliding through social media platforms. Analyzing data from 2000 to 2024, it explores the roles of governments, populations, European institutions, and social media companies. The central question is whether current social media restrictions aimed at protecting democracy are justified. The study addresses the normative clash between freedom of expression and democratic integrity, questioning which should prevail. It also considers whether the EU can normatively and legally regulate social media to counteract autocracy. The thesis posits that current social media restrictions undermine freedom of speech and are overly restrictive, challenging their justification. This research aims to clarify the EU's authority to limit social media and its impact on upholding democratic norms.Show less
In recent years, artificial intelligence has attracted significant attention, from all corners of society. Recently, generative artificial intelligence has fueled this even further. In response,...Show moreIn recent years, artificial intelligence has attracted significant attention, from all corners of society. Recently, generative artificial intelligence has fueled this even further. In response, countries are rushing to regulate the use of generative artifi- cial intelligence to protect their populations while reaping the societal benefits the technology is promised to bring. China is the first country to have regulated gen- erative artificial intelligence. In this thesis, I address the question of how we can understand China’s regulations on generative artificial intelligence from a Euro- pean perspective. To start, I provide background information on the technology at the center of the thesis, generative artificial intelligence, and on regulatory frameworks on artificial intelligence (AI), both in China and in the European Union. After that, I zoom in on China’s recently introduced regulatory framework on generative artificial intel- ligence, which is followed by an analysis. To this end, I define a set of key values that, to me, represent a European point of view on artificial intelligence. I conclude by offering a contextualised interpretation of the characteristics that stand out from my analysis.Show less
On 18 March 2016, the EU – Turkey Statement was conducted by the heads of states or governments of the EU and Ahmed Davutoğlu, Turkish minister of foreign affairs, with the aim to control irregular...Show moreOn 18 March 2016, the EU – Turkey Statement was conducted by the heads of states or governments of the EU and Ahmed Davutoğlu, Turkish minister of foreign affairs, with the aim to control irregular migration from the Aegean Sea towards the European Union. Yet, concerns have been raised regarding the compliance of the EU – Turkey Statement with human rights. Human rights have to be respected in the EU member states as well as in Turkey. When Turkey does not respect these rights, it cannot be considered as safe. As long as Turkey cannot be considered as a safe third country, the EU – Turkey Statement will violate the law of the European Union. This would not only have consequences for the current Statement, but also for similar statements conducted in the near future in which the EU – Turkey Statement might serve as a blueprint for human rights violations. To that end, the aim of this thesis is to examine the compatibility of the EU – Turkey Statement with international and European law, based on human dignity, the right to asylum, the principle of non-refoulement and the assumption of Turkey as a safe third country. The legal examination resulted in the main findings that the EU – Turkey Statement shows malfunctions on the upholding of human rights in the European Union and that Turkey cannot be considered as a safe third country. This because Turkey is part of the Geneva Convention with geographical limitation, the absence for non-Europeans to be granted with asylum in Turkey, a history of violations concerning the non-refoulement principle and serious concerns for inhuman or degrading treatment. In other words, the EU – Turkey Statement is not in accordance with European law and does not safeguard human rights.Show less
