The Expert Council on NGO Law is currently preparing a thematic study on challenges to civil society space pertaining to NGOs which are supporting refugees and other migrants in the Council of Europe member states. This study is a follow-up to a study the Expert Council published in 2019 : “Using criminal law to restrict the work of NGOs supporting refugees and other migrants in Council of Europe Member States” (CONF/EXP(2019)1, December 2019).

The practice once gathered will be assessed in the light of the applicable European standards governing freedom of association and the rights of NGOs, and will also consider the impact on the rights of refugees and other migrants.

We are keen to hear from the widest array of individuals, civil society groups, and state actors from all parts of the CoE. Particularly we welcome information from CoE Member States and State institutions, including human rights commissions, Ombuds institutions, parliamentarians, government officials from relevant sectors including justice, home affairs, security and health and social welfare. We are also keen to hear from NGOs, civil society groups and solidarity networks including from solidarity groups coming from refugee and migrant communities. We also welcome inputs from intergovernmental organizations (like UNHCR, IOM, and at the regional level, the European Union and OSCE), lawyers, doctors and health workers, social workers, educators, journalists and others engaging with civil society in the support of refugees and other migrants.  

The Expert Council is therefore inviting NGOs and all the above mentioned stakeholders to share their experiences by completing a short questionnaire by 31 January 2024. 

For any further questions and submitting the questionnaire please use this e-mail address. 

We shall be very grateful to receive your contributions! Please also share the questionnaire widely with your networks.

 Questionnaire on State Practice for a Study on restrictions to civil society space relating to the support of refugees and other migrants in the Council of Europe