On 13-14 October, the Council of Europe took part in the OSCE Human Dimension Conference and the 41st Consultative Forum of Frontex in Warsaw.
Addressing Plenary Session 7 of the OSCE conference, which focused on refugees and displaced persons, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Warsaw, Karina Wegrzynowska, highlighted that the European Convention on Human Rights ensures that protections extend to everyone within a state's jurisdiction, including non-nationals, asylum seekers, and refugees. Furthermore, the European Court remains the ultimum refugium for protecting the life and integrity of asylum seekers, including vital protections under Article 3 of the Convention against non-refoulement and safeguards for family life and unity.
Focusing on the approximately five million Ukrainians displaced by war, the Council of Europe noted that European responses over the past four years have been timely, adequate, and multifaceted. However, several challenges remain, such as labour market access, qualification recognition, and the protection of people in situations of vulnerability, including unaccompanied children.
To tackle these issues, the Council of Europe pointed to some of its key support instruments:
- The European Qualification Passport for Refugees (EQPR), based on the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
- The Intercultural Cities Programme (ICC) network of 160 authorities building inclusive communities.
- The HELP Programme, offering free online courses on refugees in vulnerable situations, gender, mental health, and legal aid.
- The Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU), which addresses education, guardianship, children with disabilities, trauma care, and trafficking risks.
As regards the meeting of the Frontex Consultative Forum (CF), in which the Council of Europe was represented by the Head of the Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR), Nikos Sitaropoulos, it provided an opportunity for fruitful exchanges with the CF members on the state of play and future work of the Frontex Consultative Forum. It was also the first time for the CF to hold meetings with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty and Lord German, PACE General Rapporteur on European Migration and Asylum Policies. These meetings allowed the useful cross-fertilisation of ideas and exchange of information in order to further enhance the protection of human rights and rule of law in migration law and practice.
