European Parliament (PEGA Committee) – The use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware – 2023
This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA), provides a description of the legal framework (including oversight and redress mechanisms) governing the use of Pegasus and equivalent spyware in a selection of Member States.
The final report is available here
European Commission (DG JUST) – Right of suspects and accused persons who are in pre-trial detention (exploratory study) 2022
ARA was in charge of this exploratory study to look into the rights os suspect and accused persons who are in pre-trial detention. Pre-trial detention is widely percieved as one of the most important problems in the field of criminal procedure at EU level. This exploratory study on pre-trial detention was commissioned by the Euroepan Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers as an update to a 2018 study on a proposed measure on pre-trial detention.
The final report is available here
European Parliament (LIBE Committee) – Right-wing extremism in the EU – 2022
This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the LIBE Committee, provides a discussionon the distinctive features of right-wing extremism as well as violent actions perpetuated by right-wing extremists in the EU. It gives an overview and analysis of definitions, recent trends and responses to these actions and concludes with recommendations, in particular, the study highlights the needto develop a working definition of right-wing extremism in order to providea better framework for understanding studying and measuring the phenomenon.
The final report is available here
European Commission (DG MOVE) – Support study for the evaluation of Regulation (EU) N° 1315/2013 on Union Guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (2019-2021)
ARA was part of a consortium evaluating Regulation 1315/2013 on the trans-European transport network. The evaluation assessed the TEN-T Regulation in its entire scope with the aim of providing the European Commission with an independent evidence-based assessment of the implementation of the TEN-T Regulation against five evaluation criteria. The evaluation followed a mixed-methods approach, combining extensive desk-based research with participatory surveys and interviews with relevant EU, national and local level transport stakeholders. The evaluation assessed the extent to which the provisions of the Regulation allow for the establishment of a trans-European transport network which enables citizens of the EU, economic operators and regional and local communities to derive full benefit from the setting-up of an area without internal frontiers. The study also identified and assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the Regulation in delivering its outputs and outcomes. The study focussed on key current challenges in the transport networks and addressed the issue of network fragmentation (patchwork, despite the priority projects) and assess whether the Regulation has contributed to reducing gaps and bottlenecks.
The final report is available here
European Commission (DG SANTE and CHAFEA) – The Health Status Of Newly Arrived Migrants And Refugees In EU/EEA
Funded by the Third EU Public Health Programme, Asterisk Research and Analysis as consortium lead undertook this study on the health status of newly arrived migrants and refugees in the EU / EEA. The study had two main objectives: (i) to identify and evaluate the existing sources and data on the health conditions of newly arrived migrants and refugees to Europe since 2015; (ii) to assess the actual health status of the target population on the basis of selected sources of health information. The study relied on an extensive desk-based research exercise at international, EU and national level, a large-scale stakeholder consultation through online questionnaires and interviews across the 33 study countries to identify relevant data sources, as well as a workshop with key stakeholders from different Member States, through which 47 sources for potential inclusion were identified. Of those, 16 were included in the assessment of the health status of migrants. The study revealed that little to no systematic data collection of the health status of newly arrived migrants in the EU/EEA since 2015 is conducted. A comparison of available data is very difficult, if not impossible. A coordinated data collection effort across the EU would be useful to overcome the fragmented data.
The final report is available here
European Commission (DG MOVE) – Identification of potential synergies / re-use of legislative frameworks with digital aspects and concrete informatics solutions in other transport modes such as road, rail, maritime or air transport for potential re-use in the inland waterway transport (2018-2020)
Asterisk Research and Analysis, as lead organisation, undertook this study on the identification of potential synergies/re-use of legislative framework with digital aspect and concrete informatics solutions in other transport modes such as road, rail, maritime or air transport for potential re-use in the inland waterway transport. In order to tackle recent challenges in the Inland Waterway Transport (IWT), such as inefficient navigation and traffic management, inefficient integration of IWT in logistics processes and high administrative burden for complying with legislation, this study aimed at identifying informatics solutions and/or legislative frameworks with digital aspect in other transport modes to assess their potential re-use in the IWT sector. A number of solutions could directly benefit the IWT sector or provide inspiration for its further digital evolution. Moreover, re-using and building on existing systems could significantly shorten the ‘time to market’ of those solutions and avoid or reduce duplication of efforts and investments.
The final report is available here