Fixed definitions or framework legislation? The delimitation of subsidiary protection ratione personae

Drafting the planned Directive on Subsidiary Protection, imposes a large number of choices on EC institutions, among which the question of the delimitation of its circle of beneficiaries is perhaps one of the more prominent. This paper looks at the relevant international law and proposes a number of building blocks, rather than a monolithic solution. The author sets out a number of “modules”, which could inform the Directive’s delimitation ratione personae.