The 13th meeting of the Council of Europe Network of Focal Points on Migration (NFPM) took place in Strasbourg and online on 18–19 June, bringing together representatives of Council of Europe bodies, member states, and international organisations to exchange views on key developments in migration and asylum law and practice. Held on the eve of World Refugee Day (20 June), the meeting provided a timely opportunity to reflect on these issues.
On 15 May, during the Ministerial Session in Chișinău, the Committee of Ministers welcomed the work of the Network of Focal Points on Migration, highlighting its role in facilitating exchanges of information, experience and good practices among member States on migration and human rights challenges. The Committee of Ministers also called for further consolidation and strengthening of the Council of Europe’s work on migration, including reflection on the future mandate and development of the Network.
Against this background, the first day of the meeting focused on the topical issue of pre-removal detention of migrants considering European and international standards and member States practice. Contributions from the Council of Europe, the European Commission, FRONTEX and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) addressed legal safeguards, oversight mechanisms and policy developments, including the use of alternatives to detention.
Member States and institutional participants exchanged practices on implementation challenges, including procedural safeguards, access to legal remedies, and the operationalisation of alternatives to detention. Particular attention was also given to vulnerable groups, including children and families, and the importance of ensuring child-sensitive approaches in migration management.
The second day of the meeting provided updates on ongoing Council of Europe work in migration-related fields, including migrant smuggling, statelessness, the situation of Ukrainian children affected by displacement, and the use of artificial intelligence in the context of migration practice. Discussions also highlighted ongoing cooperation activities supporting member states in the implementation of Council of Europe standards in migration and asylum.
