In a report published on 7 March, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) lauded positive steps taken by Cyprus since the adoption of its previous report in 2016, but also pointed out various areas of concern. 

While welcoming an improved access to labour market for asylum seekers and the entry into force of hate speech ban in the Parliament, ECRI found deficiencies in the way asylum seeking and other migrant children are assessed and supported before being placed in ordinary school classes. It insisted on “priority implementation” of the recommendation to provide support to child asylum seekers and other migrant children in acquiring the Greek language skills necessary to allow them to follow ordinary primary school classes taught in Greek.

In its report on Hungary, published on 9 March, ECRI expressed concern over “increasingly xenophobic” rhetoric in recent years, targetting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The report further urges the authorities to adopt a comprehensive integration strategy for migrants.