Request for a preliminary ruling from the Raad van State (Netherlands) lodged on 23 December 2020 — Staatssecretaris van Justitie en Veiligheid v C, B

(Case C-704/20)

(2021/C 128/14)

Language of the case: Dutch

Referring court

Raad van State

Parties to the main proceedings

Appellant: Staatssecretaris van Justitie en Veiligheid

Respondents: C, B

Question referred

Does European Union law, more particularly Article 15(2) of the Return Directive (2008/115/EC; OJ 2008 L 348) (1) and Article 9 of the Reception Directive (2013/33/EU; OJ 2013 L 180), (2) read in conjunction with Article 6 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (OJ 2007 C 303/01), require a court of its own motion (ex officio) to assess whether all the conditions pertaining to detention have been met, including those where the foreign national has not disputed that compliance occurred, despite having had the opportunity to do so?

(1)  Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals (OJ 2008 L 348, p. 98).

(2)  Directive 2013/33/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (OJ 2013 L 180, p. 96).