Newsletter - November 2020
Meeting of focal points, contribution to the Global Compact on migration, and webinar on pushbacks
On 30 November 2020, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, Ambassador Drahoslav Štefánek, is hosting the second meeting of focal points dealing with migration issues at national level. Representatives of relevant ministries gather to discuss developments...
Deportations to Nigeria and the Gambia in breach of the Convention
On 24 November 2020, the European Court of Human Rights published a Chamber judgement in the case Unuane v. the United Kingdom (no. 80343/17) concerning the applicant’s deportation to Nigeria, following a criminal conviction, forcing him to leave his partner and three children in the United...
Teleconference with Greek authorities on unaccompanied migrant children
On 5 November 2020, the Execution Department organised a teleconference with the Greek authorities focusing on certain issues raised in the context of the execution by Greece of the M.S.S. / Rahimi cases, concerning reception and protection of unaccompanied migrant children. The teleconference...
CPT calls on Greece to reform its immigration detention system and stop pushbacks
On 19 November 2020, the Council of Europe's anti-torture committee (CPT), published a report on an ad hoc visit to Greece where it once again urged the Greek authorities to change their approach towards immigration detention and to ensure that migrants deprived of their liberty are treated both...
ECRI presented its recommendations on migrants at Protect Expert Forum
On 14 November 2020, the Secretariat of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) participated in the online event PROTECT Expert Forum “The Two UN Compacts – Refugees and Migrants: Challenges and Implementation in Europe”. The panel on “Procedures and Equality – Preserving...
Webinars on Saving missing children and on Voluntary relocations of child refugees
On 4 December 2020, the UK Parliament organises a web-conference on “voluntary relocations of child refugees and other vulnerable refugees: achievements and future challenges”, which is part of the preparation of a report on this subject by Lord Alexander Dundee for the Committee on Migration,...
Drug policy experts discussed the negative impact of Covid-19 pandemic on refugees, migrants and IDPs
On 29 October 2020, the Council of Europe´s drug policy experts, the Pompidou Group, held the 2nd ‘’Support Network of Professionals” online working group meeting for professionals working on the field with refugees, migrants and IDPs. The experts of the working group discussed the negative...
Age assessment procedures: Launch of video for children to raise awareness of their rights
On 20 November 2020, on the occasion of the World’s Children’s Day, the Council of Europe and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), launched an animation on age assessment of migrant children. The animation seeks to inform children about the procedures in a child-friendly way, and in a...
Expert Council on NGO Law calls Greece to revoke restrictions on the registration and certification of NGOs
On 23 November 2020, the Expert Council on NGO Law issued an Addendum to its 2 July 2020 Opinion on Greek Legislation on the registration and certification of Greek and foreign NGOs engaged in activities related to asylum, migration, and social inclusion. The Addendum focuses on Greek...