Sebastian von Massow
About/Bio
Sebastian von Massow is a PhD candidate at the European University Institute, Florence, a coordinator of the EUI International Law Working Group, and Executive Editor of the European Journal of Legal Studies. His research focuses on the litigation of the right to self-determination.
Recently Published
Joined Cases C-779/21 P, Commission v Front Polisario and C-799/21 P, Council v Front Polisario: The Unresolved Contest Between ‘Benefits’ and ‘Consent’
October 23, 2024
Sebastian von Massow
On 4 October, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice upheld the General Court’s annulment of a Council Decision concluding an Amendment to the EU-Morocco Association Agreement. It did so on the grounds that the EU Commission and Council had failed to obtain the consent of the Saharawi people and thereby violated their right…
AG Ćapeta’s Western Sahara Opinions: Undermining the Law of Decolonization
May 14, 2024
Sebastian von Massow
The law on decolonization has two primary objectives: transfer power from colonizer to people in accordance with their will and protect the people until that happens. On 21 March 2024, Advocate General Ćapeta delivered three linked opinions at the European Court of Justice that seriously undermine these objectives. The cases concern EU trade agreements with Morocco purporting to…
Popular articles by Sebastian von Massow
AG Ćapeta’s Western Sahara Opinions: Undermining the Law of Decolonization
May 14, 2024
Sebastian von Massow
The law on decolonization has two primary objectives: transfer power from colonizer to people in accordance with their will and protect the people until that happens. On 21 March 2024, Advocate General Ćapeta delivered three linked opinions at the European Court of Justice that seriously undermine these objectives. The cases concern EU trade agreements with Morocco purporting to…
Joined Cases C-779/21 P, Commission v Front Polisario and C-799/21 P, Council v Front Polisario: The Unresolved Contest Between ‘Benefits’ and ‘Consent’
October 23, 2024
Sebastian von Massow
On 4 October, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice upheld the General Court’s annulment of a Council Decision concluding an Amendment to the EU-Morocco Association Agreement. It did so on the grounds that the EU Commission and Council had failed to obtain the consent of the Saharawi people and thereby violated their right…