Denis Duez

Standing Up for the Voiceless ? Exploring the EU's Capacity for Rights Protection In an era marked by a crisis of liberal values - notably within Europe - and mounting challenges to fundamental rights, Standing Up for the Voiceless ? explores the European Union's evolving role in fostering political inclusion. At its core, the volume seeks to engage with a pressing question : does the EU truly amplify the voices of the marginalized—or, more pointedly, the voiceless ? Emerging from the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence "Un-Muting Europe," this collection brings together fresh perspectives from early-career scholars across disciplines and borders.
Through a diverse set of case studies - ranging from environmental justice and migration to democratic backsliding and digital rights - it critically examines how EU institutions interact with those historically silenced, including stateless individuals, minority groups, future generations, and even non-human entities. Adopting a sharp interdisciplinary lens, the book moves beyond institutional rhetoric to question whether the EU's discourse of participation and protection translates into tangible outcomes.
Does the European Union function as a genuine platform for empowerment due to its unique institutional architecture - or does it, paradoxically, contribute to the very silencing it seeks to prevent ? Timely and thought-provoking, this volume is essential reading for anyone interested in the legitimacy of European governance, the politics of voice and silence, and the future of rights protection in the EU.