Yerevan
A workshop on 11 March explored refugee rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, focusing on legal safeguards and the role of the European Court of Human Rights. Representatives from state institutions, civil society, and international organisations discussed key issues such as border access, family reunification, detention conditions, and protection from trafficking. Building on a 2024 discussion on non-refoulement and other fundamental rights, the event strengthened participants’ knowledge of ECHR standards and their application in legal counseling and cooperation with state bodies. Deputy Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service, Irina Davtyan, emphasised the challenge of balancing state sovereignty with human rights obligations, highlighting the relevance of ECtHR case law in addressing refugee protection.
Ankara
Under the joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye”, 29 lawyers from Kayseri Bar Association were trained on the international and European human rights standards related to the principle of non-refoulement, the right to liberty and security including lawfulness of detention, alternatives to immigration detention, and the protection of persons in a vulnerable situation. Furthermore, with the two-day training on "Individual Application in the Context of Immigration Detention’’, 23 lawyers from civil society organisations working in human rights and migration were trained to improve their advocacy skills for the rights of persons in immigration detention. Through interactive sessions and case studies, participants gained practical expertise in exhausting legal remedies, challenging detention decisions, and filing individual applications before the Turkish Constitutional Court, improving their ability to navigate complex case law and protect human rights.
Chisinau
On 20 March 2025, over 50 students from Chisinau participated in a public lesson on disinformation in the context of migration, marking the launch of the 6th edition of the national art competition "Through Art We Combat Disinformation #TruthAboutMigration #YoungGenerationKnows". The competition aims to raise awareness among young people about the impact of disinformation on society and vulnerable groups, such as refugees and migrants, and emphasizes the importance of combating disinformation through art and education. The art contest is organised by the National Institute of Justice and the School of Fine Arts “Alexei Sciusev” in partnership with the Council of Europe Project on “Strengthening the protection of human rights of refugees and migrants in the Republic of Moldova: phase II.
Tunis
On 19 March 2025, the Council of Europe Office in Tunis organised a coordination meeting on the fight against trafficking in human beings with all actors active in this area (CIVIPOL, Expertise France, EU Delegation, ICMPD, IOM, Switzerland, OHCHR, UNHCR, UNODC, US) and with the participation of Executive Secretary of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings of the Council of Europe.
The meeting aimed at enhancing information exchange and coordination among international stakeholders and It also provided an opportunity to discuss the migration situation, taking into account recent developments and the growing challenges in managing migration flows in certain regions of the country.
The discussion emphasized the need for a coordinated response, improved institutional capacity, and stronger international cooperation to address emerging complexities effectively.
The following conclusions were reached: a) establish regular meetings among international partners to ensure more effective follow-up with Tunisian institutions. These meetings should also facilitate formal communication with the National Authority for Combating Trafficking in Persons (INLTP) and the Ministry of Justice, enhancing transparency and collaboration; b) accelerate the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism (MNO) to ensure the effective identification, protection, and assistance of trafficking victims, strengthening institutional capacity and response mechanisms; c) foster ongoing dialogue with civil society and ensure their active participation in anti-trafficking efforts; d) support Tunisia’s efforts to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by February 2026.
