This seminar will bring together researchers and practitioners to discuss current research and practical experiences related to asylum in Belgium. Organised to mark the 10th anniversary of the Migration Law Research Group (MigrLaw) at Ghent University, the event will explore challenges faced by applicants for international protection and the role of interdisciplinary and empirical research in informing policy and practice.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued a case-law in relation to international protection and protection of human rights in the case of alleged persecutions because of an applicant's sexual orientation.

On 7 November, the European Court of Justice judged that homosexual applicants for asylum can constitute a particular social group who may be persecuted on account of their sexual orientation.

The European Parliament adopted a revised version of the asylum directive on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection and the content of the protection granted.