The Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) participated in the inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) Drafting Group on the Safe Third Country Concept (CDDH-PTS), held in Strasbourg from 4 to 6 March.

In line with the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' instruction to the CDDH, the group is tasked with assessing the need for and feasibility of updating Committee of Ministers Recommendation No. R(97)22, which provides guidelines on the application of the safe third country concept in the context of human rights and international protection.

Given that the above CM Recommendation was adopted 28 years ago, significant legal developments - including in subsequent judgements of the European Court of Human Rights - have prompted the Committee of Ministers to consider its review and potential revision. This process will also take into account the Parliamentary Assembly’s Recommendation 2238 (2022) on Safe Third Countries for Asylum Seekers, which addresses standards for the transfer, return, and readmission of asylum seekers and refugees.