Newsletter July-August 2026
Ensuring a human rights-compliant end to refugeehood through integration, naturalisation or voluntary repatriation
The Council of Europe Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) has released the final French version of its thematic paper “Ensuring a human rights-compliant end to refugeehood through integration, naturalisation or voluntary repatriation”: Mettre fin à la qualité de réfugié dans le respect des...
DMR participates in conference on the transition of unaccompanied migrant children into adulthood
The Council of Europe’s Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) participated in the international conference “Transition of Unaccompanied Migrant Children into Adulthood”, held online on 3 July in Ankara, Türkiye. The conference brought together over 100 representatives of public institutions,...
Council of Europe contributes to Forum on the Future of Protection in Cyprus
The Council of Europe’s Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) participated in the Forum on “The Future of Protection”, held on 2 July at the University of Nicosia under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus. The event, organised...
Commissioner for Human Rights calls for strict human rights guardrails in plans for ‘return hubs’
In letters published on 16 July, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, asks ministers responsible for migration policy in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands to ensure that any plans for ‘return hubs’ align with international human rights law....
CPT adopts updated standards on immigration and detention
At its July 2026 meeting, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) adopted its updated standards on immigration detention. In these standards, which will be published later this autumn, the CPT sets out how foreign nationals who are detained – notably in reception centres or...
10th plenary of Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine
The Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) held its 10th plenary meeting on 2-3 July 2026 in Strasbourg, bringing together 112 members and experts to advance co-operation on safe return procedures, inclusive support for children with disabilities, trauma‑informed...
Armenia: Stronger local organisations, stronger protection of rights
What does it take to make support for refugees and other vulnerable groups more effective? Strong organisations, skilled teams and respect for people’s rights. For civil society organisations (CSOs) working with refugees in Armenia, that starts with how they run themselves: managing staff fairly,...