Leyla Kayacik, Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) paid a visit to Chisinau, where she took part in the launch of the Council of Europe project: “Strengthening the human rights protection of refugees and migrants in the Republic of Moldova.” National partners, UN Agencies working in the field of migration and asylum and civil society representatives also took part in the launch.
In her opening remarks, SRSG Kayacik praised Moldova’s extraordinary hospitality to Ukrainian refugees, highlighting the need for continuous and steadfast international support to the country.
“This project is a follow up to the findings contained in the report on my visit to the country in June last year as well as of in-depth consultations with state authorities, international organisations and civil society,” said the SRSG, adding that it draws on the Council of Europe’s judicial expertise and the substantial case-law of the European Court of Human Rights in the field of asylum and migration.
For her part, Jana Costachi, State Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, stated: "We appreciate the personalised support of the Council of Europe that will be granted to the Republic of Moldova, considering the situation of refugees from Ukraine. Thus, together we will contribute to building resilient migration, asylum, and reception systems in line with European standards. As a result, we will have teams of well-trained professionals who will improve the legislative and policy framework on the protection of the human rights of refugees and migrants in the Republic of Moldova".
Developed within the framework of the Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025) and funded under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2021-2024, the project will be implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and Research, the National Institute of Justice and the People’s Advocate Office.
The SRSG also visited a Refugee Accommodation Centre in Chisinau. She was moved by testimonies of women, children and elderly who found refuge in the Republic of Moldova.
