The Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) organised an online thematic session of the Council of Europe Network of Focal Points on Migration (NFPM) focusing on the development of Independent Monitoring Mechanisms (IMMs) at borders.
The session brought together member states’ officials, representatives of Council of Europe bodies, European Union and United Nations institutions.
The discussions centred on relevant European and international standards related to border control activities, including those emanating from the European Convention on Human Rights, related notably to the right to life, the prohibition of torture, the principle of non-refoulement, the prohibition of collective expulsions and safeguards concerning detention.
Participants examined the requirements for setting up IMMs as provided for under Article 10 of the EU Screening Regulation, discussing independence, powers, access, methodology and resources. Presentations by representatives of the CPT, the European Commission, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) outlined applicable standards and expectations.
The session also enabled useful exchanges among member states which have already established or are developing IMMs, focusing on institutional set-up and methodological tools. Building on previous events, including the DMR mission to Croatia in September 2025 and discussions held in Strasbourg in November 2025, the Head of Board of the Croatian IMM, which has been operational for five years, highlighted advances and practical challenges, especially regarding monitoring capacity and effectiveness. Other key issues identified by participants included adequate and sustainable funding, follow-up and effective investigations by competent authorities.Lastly, participants agreed on the need for further peer-to-peer cooperation, with a view to strengthening effective and independent monitoring at borders across member states.
