On 29 November 2012 Ellen Nissen was awarded the Hanneke Steenbergen scriptieprijs. This prize is awarded each year for the best thesis on migration law. The foundation and the prize bear the name of Hanneke Steenbergen. During her life Hanneke Steenbergen taught migration law at the University of Leiden and was highly dedicated to the promotion of education on migration law. Her publications made a significant contribution to this field of law. After she passed away in June 2001 her family, friends and colleagues decided to establish a foundation, the primary purpose of which it is to award a yearly prize stimulating research and interest in migration law issues.

This book adopts a child rights perspective in order to analyse and provide insight into the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights. Focus lies on the specific situation of children who wish to enjoy family life in their home country with a parent from outside the EU. It aims to assess whether, and to what extent, their right to family life and right to abode by virtue of their nationality are taken into account by the Courts.

'...a thesis that, in addition to offering a very strong legal analysis, has such a practical range that it could be used as a handbook by anyone working with these issues.'

Jury Report Hanneke Steenbergen scriptieprijs 2012