On 23-27 October delegation of Ukrainian experts visited Slovakia. A visit named “The rights of refugees and internally displaced persons: good practices and ways of implementation” was organized by Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation, Civic Association „SME SPOLU”, National Academy of Legal Science of Ukraine and has been supported by the Project “Strengthening the Human Rights Protection of Internally Displaced Persons”.

The visit was aimed at sharing experiences, studying the legislative framework and practical approaches to organize responses to migration and displacement in Slovak Republic and to reflect on the role of academics and legal science in contribution to development of durable solutions for IDPs.

Among participants of the visit were Ukrainian and Slovakian experts, academics from National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Donetsk National University (currently located in Vinnitsa), Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, representatives of the Council of Europe Project, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, Ministry of Interior of Slovakia, civil society organizations involved in integration and protection of refugees in Slovakia.

During the visit participants shared the current situation of IDPs in Ukraine, had a space for fruitful discussions on the applicability of the Council of Europe Standards on internal displacement and migration, analyzed the case law of European Court of Human Rights on refugees and IDPs, learned on EU and Slovak national legal framework promoting access of refugees to accommodation and housing, labor and social benefits.

Ukrainian experts discovered the role of civil society in the integration processes in Slovakia visiting “Community Centre of Assyrian Christians” (integration project of the NGO “Peace & Good”), civic association “Human Right League”, Comenius University.