On 4 December 2017, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, published his thematic report in which he touched upon sexual and reproductive health and rights of women asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. Addressing the issue of restrictive abortion laws in some European countries, the Commissioner was concerned about the consequences of such laws on the mental and physical health of women, mentioning asylum seekers and undocumented migrants among the groups of women most at risk in this context. His recommendations included a call on the Council of Europe member states to ensure that all marginalised women can access sexual and reproductive health care that responds to their specific health needs and personal circumstances, including women affected by conflict and crisis, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and migrants. The issue paper is available here.
Newsletter - January 2018
Mandate
The Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) was created at the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DG1) on 1 February 2025 to follow-up on the action by the former Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees. Its mandate includes suggesting assistance and support to member states, particularly through the Network of Focal Points on Migration, seeking, collecting and analysing information on the human rights situation of migrants and refugees, as well as complementing and co-ordinating activities of other relevant Council of Europe bodies and our action with other international partners, notably the UNHCR, IOM, EU, and its specialised agencies, and other national, regional and international stakeholders, including civil society organisations. The DMR represents the Council of Europe in the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award Selection Committee, as well as in the Consultative Forums of Frontex and of EUAA.
- Follow-up on Greece report recommendations and International Migrants Day
- Judgments concerning extradition and deportation
- GRETA carried out an urgent procedure visit to Hungary
- 73 European Qualifications Passports for Refugees issued in 2017
- Intercultural integration approach in cities lead to local well-being
- Issue paper on women's sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe
- Council of Europe anti-torture Committee visited Ukraine
- PACE winter session and a seminar on Parliamentary Network on Diaspora Policies in Morocco