From 21 to 26 January 2021, the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the Parliamentary Assembly will be meeting and approving a report on the “Role of parliaments in implementing the United Nations Global Compacts for Migrants and Refugees”, Rapporteur: Nicos Tornaritis, (Cyprus, EPP/CD). The draft resolution calls upon Council of Europe member States to support the two UN Global Compacts – the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which are voluntary, non-binding, international instruments. The two Global Compacts should help structure international cooperation in the years to come to provide refugees and migrants with the essential human rights protection they are entitled to according to the already existing international treaties. The draft resolution highlights the preconditions for their successful implementation, including the need to address the root causes of displacement, to build stronger institutions and promote good governance in countries of origin of forced displacement, and to promote international solidarity on migration and asylum-related matters – including solidarity towards the frontline countries. It refers to specific actions to be taken by national parliaments according to various parliamentary functions: representative, legislative, oversight functions and the important element of international parliamentary diplomacy.

The Committee will be having a number of exchanges of views, as part of the preparation of various reports. These include an exchange of views on “Voluntary relocation of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in need of humanitarian protection” with Ms Eirini Agapidaki, Special Secretary for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, Ministry of Migration and Asylum of Greece, an exchange of views on “Gender mainstreaming of migration policies” with Ms Vera Lomazzi and Ms Isabella Crespi, Researchers and authors of the book: “Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Equality in Europe: Policies, Culture and Public Opinion” 2019, a joint exchange of views on “Safe third countries for asylum seekers” and on “Pushbacks on land and sea: illegal measures of migration management” with the participation of Ms Tineke Strik, Member of the EU Parliament, and Ms Sophie Weidenhiller, Spokesperson, Sea-Eye e.V., Regensburg, Germany. There will also be an exchange of views on “Alternative care for unaccompanied and separated migrant children” with Ms Lilja Grétarsdóttir, Head of Unit on Migration and Displacement, Human Rights Directorate, Council of Europe.