Newsletter June 2024
World Refugee Day: Upholding refugee rights shows shared values and humanity
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked World Refugee Day by paying tribute to the support given by Council of Europe member states to millions of refugees. “Our continued commitment to upholding the rights of refugees is a testament to our shared values. Over the last decade, Europe...
SRSG presents 2nd interim report on implementation of the Action Plan for protecting vulnerable persons in migration and asylum context
The Council of Europe continues to support its member states in protecting and upholding the human rights of persons in vulnerable situations in the context of migration and asylum by drawing on its specific standards and expertise, in close coordination with the other international organisations...
Network of Focal Points on Migration examines challenges to implementing EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in compliance with Council of Europe standards
On 13 and 14 June, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), David Best, chaired the 9th meeting of the Network of Focal Points on Migration (NFPM), which brought together participants from member state ministries dealing with migration to discuss...
World Refugee Day: ‘the world needs a system built around the needs of refugees’
Statement by Oleksii Goncharenko (Ukraine, EC/DA), the Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, on World Refugee Day (20 June 2024): “On the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe, and as we mark World Refugee Day, I call for a transformation of the...
PACE warns against erosion of the right of asylum
PACE has warned against the gradual erosion of the right to seek asylum, which will eventually lead to “chaos and suffering”, and urged the Council of Europe’s 46 member states to avoid resorting to “policies of deterrence” to dissuade migrants and asylum-seekers from travelling to Europe. In a...
Immediate and long-term policy solutions in support of displaced people of Ukraine
Emphasising the significance of "a people-centred approach in policy making in times of crisis", PACE has called on EU member States to prolong the duration of the initially agreed temporary protection or to open new avenues "for allowing a regular and legally secure presence of peoples of...
PACE conference in Luxembourg examines challenges faced by exiled Belarusians
Participants at a conference in Luxembourg have explored ways that national parliaments can help to address the challenges faced by Belarusians in exile – whether practical support on issues such as avoiding reprisals and entry and residence procedures, or by helping to preserve Belarusian...
Immigration-related issues in focus of CPT visits
The CPT has continued to be proactively engaged in monitoring immigration-related issues. Notably, two CPT visits in May/June 2024 had an immigration aspect. In Denmark, the CPT conducted a follow-up visit to the Ellebæk Centre for Foreigners, and in Norway, the focus was on the Police...
ECRI Annual Report adresses situation of people displaced by war and other emergencies
Addressing the situation of people displaced by war and other emergencies, countering the rise of antisemitism in Europe as a result of the current conflict in the Middle East, taking resolute action against anti-Muslim racism and discrimination across the continent – these were the key trends in...
Young refugees: Supporting confidence at 18
On the occasion of the World Refugee Day, the Youth Department of the Council of Europe hosted the seminar Supporting confidence at 18 at the European Youth Centre Budapest. The seminar focused on the struggles of young refugees, including unaccompanied minors, in exercising their most basic and...
Integration of refugees - Is it possible to continue studies even if you do not have the proofs of your educational background?
On 17 June 2024, the event “Hand in hand to support the integration of refugees - education, training and recognition of qualifications” co-organised by the Council of Europe, France Education International, the University of Lyon 2 and the Association “Réfugiés dans l’enseignement supérieur”...
Council of Europe field offices actively support rights of refugees and migrants
Council of Europe field offices have continued actively promoting and supporting the rights of refugees and migrants, in particular by implementing ongoing projects in several member states. The Republic of Moldova: Under the project "The Strengthening the human rights protection of refugees and...
Dialogue Group on Transnational Procedures and Cooperation discuss adoption of Ukrainan children residing in Council of Europe member states
On 11 June, the Dialogue Group on Transnational Procedures and Cooperation set up in the framework of the Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) held its second meeting. The Group discussed inter alia, the adoption of Ukrainian children residing in Council of Europe...
Expert Council on NGO Law publishes study: "Civil society support to refugees and other migrants in Europe"
In relation to World Refugee Day (20 June), the Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO) ihas released a new thematic study titled “Civil society support to refugees and other migrants in Europe: the need to end the backlash on civil...