On 20 June, World Refugee Day, the Advisory Council on Youth honours refugees, particularly young ones, from around the Continent and the world, and reminds the member States of the rich body of legal instruments and policy guidance serving to protect refugees.

A refugee’s story is a unique one. It details hardship, perseverance and, above all, a desire for a safer, more dignified and humane life. Amid today's heightened democratic backsliding across Europe, young refugees and asylum seekers have seen their rights curtailed. The Advisory Council on Youth calls on member States to urgently implement CM/Rec(2019)4 on supporting young refugees in their transition to adulthood, which is complementary to the commitments taken in the Reykjavik Declaration to respect the human rights of migrants and refugees. 

Read the entire statement English only 

The statements of the Advisory Council are published for the purpose of informing the public about the activities of the statutory bodies of the Council of Europe youth sector. The statements reflect the opinions and positions of the Advisory Council and its members. The views expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council of Europe.