[Round table] Geopolitical uncertainty, (in)secure borders, and the 'foreign terrorist fighters' phenomenon

What happens when emergency laws outlast the crisis they were meant to solve?

A decade ago, the rise of ISIS sparked urgent responses across Europe. Governments introduced strict legal tools to stop their citizens from travelling to conflict zones, often resorting to prosecution and stripping citizenships. These measures, framed as necessary to national security, left behind complex legal and humanitarian consequences.

Today, the issue of so-called foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) remains unresolved. Over 3,800 European nationals, many of them children, are still held in ‘dire’ and ‘appalling’ conditions in Syrian camps like al-Hol and Roj. Most of these individuals have received little legal recourse and remain in limbo, with no clear path to repatriation or justice.

On 11 June 2025, the Asser Institute invites you to the launch of ‘Europe’s Foreign Fighter Conundrum - Legal Responses, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights’ by researcher Tarik Gherbaoui, a legal scholar whose work investigates how European legal systems have responded to the FTF phenomenon. The book explores the tension between national security and human rights, particularly focusing on prosecution, citizenship deprivation, and the broader rule of law.

In addition to highlighting the core themes of the book, researcher Rumyana van Ark, the discussant for the book, will also reflect on the very pressing humanitarian challenges that remain. The discussion will explore why repatriation is seen as ‘only durable solution’ - not only to address humanitarian concerns, but also to prevent a resurgence of violence and radicalisation.

The event will also feature a presentation by researcher Zsofia Baumann on the Foreign Terrorist Fighters Knowledge Hub - an open-access online platform developed by the Asser Institute and the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism. This resource tracks and compares how states have responded to the FTF issue and offers practical data for legal professionals, researchers, and decision-makers.

Who should attend?
This event is relevant to:

• Policy makers and government advisors
• Legal professionals and academics
• Humanitarian workers and NGO staff
• Practitioners in counter-terrorism, migration, and international law
• Researchers, journalists, and engaged citizens

Register now to join this timely and essential conversation. Gain insight into how Europe’s counter-terrorism legacy continues to evolve - and what it means for law, policy, and people.