Human Dignity and a Dignified Standard of Living: The Judgment of the Court of Justice in the Case of Zubair Haqbin (C233/18)

Directive 2013/33/EU (the Reception Conditions Directive) lays down the reception conditions that should be granted to asylum seekers and also their rights of documentation, to education and to access to the labour market and health care. In the judgment of the Court of Justice of 12 November 2019 in Case C233/18 concerning Zubair Haqbin, the Court of Justice holds that the withdrawal – even if only temporary – of the full set of material reception conditions or of material reception conditions relating to housing, food or clothing would be irreconcilable with the requirement to ensure a dignified standard of living for Mr Haqbin. After all, such a sanction deprives him from being allowed to meet his most basic needs.