Newsletter - May 2026
Council of Europe foreign ministers adopt political declaration on the ECHR and migration
Foreign ministers from the 46 Council of Europe member states have adopted a political declaration underlining and clarifying key aspects of the European Convention on Human Rights system, notably in the context of migration. The declaration was adopted by consensus at the annual session of the...
Committee of Ministers welcomes work of the Network of Focal Points on Migration
On 15 May, in its decisions taken during the Ministerial Session in Chișinău, the Committee of Ministers welcomed the work of the Council of Europe Network of Focal Points on Migration, managed by the Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR), recognising its role in facilitating exchanges of...
Final report on migration action plan presented to Committee of Ministers
The final report on the implementation of the Action Plan on protecting vulnerable persons in the context of migration and asylum in Europe (2021–2025) has been presented to the Committee of Ministers. The report underlined the action plan’s role as a key tool to guide for the Council of Europe’s...
Division on Migration and Refugees participates in the 40th Meeting of the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights
On 12–13 May, the Head of the Council of Europe Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) participated in the 40th Meeting of the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, held in Brussels. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views with the 15 international organisations and...
Frontex Consultative Forum publishes its 13th annual report
On 6 May, the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights released its 13th annual report, summarising its 2025 observations and recommendations for Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and its Management Board. The Division on Migration and Refugees represents the Council of...
Commissioner for Human Rights on safeguarding Ukrainians displaced across Europe
Over four years ago, at the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, while leading an EU agency, I deployed a team to Ukraine’s borders. The extraordinary solidarity shown by the people of Europe’s villages and towns was striking. Host countries provided Ukrainians with the right to stay and...
Trivialisation of hate speech against migrants and refugees - ECRI's Annual Report finds
On 28 May 2026, ECRI published its Annual Activity Report covering the period from 1 January to 31 December 2025. This year's report focuses on preventing and combating hate speech across Europe. ECRI underlined that in its country visits it had observed a growing phenomenon of trivialisation of...
Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the Situation of Children of Ukraine visits Kyiv
During her third visit to Ukraine (6-7 May 2026), the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the Situation of Children of Ukraine, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, met with government representatives, international organisations, and civil society partners to discuss key challenges...
Council of Europe supports safe and dignified voluntary return of women and girls to Ukraine
The Council of Europe has published the guide, “Safe and dignified: Gender-sensitive voluntary return strategies for Ukraine”, to assist Ukraine in developing gender-sensitive voluntary return procedures, focused on the needs of women and girls affected by violence or at risk. It supports...
Enhancing protection through stronger co-ordination for unaccompanied migrant children in Türkiye
Under the Council of Europe project Strengthening the Protection of Unaccompanied Migrant Children in Türkiye, funded by Sweden, public institutions, international organisations and civil society came together to strengthen protection for unaccompanied migrant children in Türkiye. The Working...
Council of Europe supports integration of refugee healthcare professionals through ethics training in Armenia
As part of its efforts to support the professional integration of refugee healthcare professionals into Armenia’s healthcare system, the Council of Europe, in close cooperation with the National Institute of Health of the Republic of Armenia, organised a two-day training session on ethical rules...