Evelyn Reuter

Junior Visiting Fellow in the cluster Inequalities in the context of social transformation processes (focus on Southeast and Central Europe)

Equality of Religious Minorities in Post-Socialist Southeast Europe during the EU Enlargement

This research project focuses on how the EU influences the treatment of religious minorities in post-socialist states of Southeast Europe states during the (prospective) enlargement process using the case studies of Bulgaria and Albania. In these states, traditional religious communities are mainly considered due to their role in nation-building. However, the protection of (religious) minorities is one of the political accession criteria for a state's admission to the EU according to the Copenhagen criteria (1993). Thus, SEE countries consider Western European actors as role models in terms of regulating religious diversity, and they are actively influenced by the EU during the enlargement process. Thus, the project tackles the value of in-/equality respective to the equal status that religious minorities may gain. The study analyzes EU documents on enlargement in general and in SEE in particular and further documents such as the state's minority protection laws and statements of religious minorities.

 

Evelyn Reuter is a Junior Visiting Fellow during the winter semester 2023/24 working closely with the Cluster In/Equalities in societal transformation processes (focusing on South Eastern and Central Europe).