Newsletter - March 2021

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.

Back The Special Representative on Migration and Refugees visited Turkey

From 15 to 26 March 2021, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Ambassador Drahoslav Štefánek, visited Turkey. His mission aimed at assessing the current situation concerning human rights of migrants and refugees – with a special focus on the most vulnerable- and the developments in this field since his predecessor’s visit in 2016.

The visit coincided with two important events: the 10th anniversary of the outbreak of the Syrian conflict and 5th anniversary of the EU – Turkey statement. It also coincided with the launching of a Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Project Office in Ankara and the announcement of Turkey’s intention to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.

The visit took place on the invitation of the Director General for Migration Management Dr Savaş Ünlü, and the Special Representative had exchanges in Ankara with Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Faruk Kaymakcı and Yavuz Selim Kıran, as well as with the officials from the Ministries of Family, Labour and social services, and of Education, as well as with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). While travelling to Izmir, Çanakkale, Gaziantep, Edirne and Istanbul, he had constructive exchanges with local authorities (Governors, Mayors and municipalities), civil society organizations and International Organizations (mainly IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF andUN-Women). He also visited several community, health, family and women centres run by authorities and NGOs such as SGDD-ASAM, Mülteciler Association in cooperation with the Sultanbeyli municipality and the Turkish red crescent.

Turkey continues to host the largest number of migrants and refugees worldwide; currently 4.1 million, of whom 3.6 million are registered Syrian refugees under temporary protection, located mainly at the south-eastern border. In this area, the Special Representative visited one of the seven remaining large-scale Temporary Accommodation Centres in Elbeyli in Kilis Province, with a capacity of 25 000 persons, but now hosting 8000 Syrians. Kilis is the province hosting the highest number of Syrians at provincial level in proportion to its population, currently over 50%. In his meeting with the Mayor of Gaziantep, the challenge of suddenly hosting some 500 000 refugees from Syria, leading to the elaboration of the “Gaziantep model” aiming at living together, was discussed.

The Special Representative visited removal centres in Ankara (Akyurt district), Izmir (Harmandali), Çanakkale, Edirne and in Tuzla (Province of Istanbul). He also visited a provincial Police holding facility located in the Pendik District of Istanbul Province and he approached the sea and land borders, including the Pazarkule crossing.

During his visit, he also launched the Turkish version of the Handbook on Promoting child-friendly procedures in the area of migration, produced by his office and contributing to the implementation of the Action Plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe (2017-2019) objectives.