A workshop on National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) monitoring in the context of migration was organised by the Council of Europe on 9-10 April 2025 in Strasbourg. The event aimed to address challenges and strategies related to immigration detention, including the role of NPMs in ensuring that detention conditions comply with human rights standards. The workshop was attended by NPM representatives, international organisations, civil society, and human rights experts.
Addressing the workshop a representative of the Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) outlined the Council’s multi-pronged approach to migration, highlighting the mandate of the newly established Division. She emphasised the importance of addressing vulnerability in migration contexts, noting the absence of a common definition but the clear risks faced by groups such as unaccompanied minors, victims of torture or trafficking, and pregnant women. She further presented the results of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025) , noting that the next action plan, covering 2026–2029, is currently under preparation.
The workshop also addressed the importance of independent monitoring mechanisms, such as NPMs, which are essential for overseeing detention conditions and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups. It highlighted the increasing complexity of monitoring immigration detention practices, especially in extraterritorial settings and outsourced detention facilities. Various panel discussions and interactive sessions explored promising practices for improving NPM capacity and developing effective strategies for overseeing migration detention, forced returns, and border management.
The event underscored the Council of Europe’s continuous efforts to support member states in aligning with international human rights standards, as well as the need for further collaboration and advocacy to ensure that migration-related policies prioritise the protection of fundamental rights.
