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 Age assessment procedures: Launch of video for children to raise awareness of their rights

Age assessment procedures: Launch of video for children to raise awareness of their rights

On 20 November 2020, on the occasion of the World’s Children’s Day, the Council of Europe and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), launched an animation on age assessment of migrant children. The animation seeks to inform children about the procedures in a child-friendly way, and in a manner that respects their human rights and dignity. The age assessment should be conducted with their informed consent, and takes into account any particular vulnerabilities, their gender and cultural background. This tool is primarily aimed at children and should also be used by professionals working with children, especially guardians. The video is released in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, and the Council of Europe will soon release the animation also in Arabic, Pashto, Dari, Tigrinya, Somali and Punjabi.

Since the start of the latest migration influx in Europe in 2015-2016, the Council of Europe has been engaged with the issue of human rights-based age assessment procedures of migrant children in Europe. In 2017, it published a comparative report “Age assessment: Council of Europe member States’ policies, procedures and practices respectful of children’s rights” analysing 37 European states. The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) focused on age assessment in the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe (2017-2019) and intends to include it into the next Action plan currently developed.

CHILDREN'S RIGHT´S DIVISION
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