On 14 November 2020, the Secretariat of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) participated in the online event PROTECT Expert Forum “The Two UN Compacts – Refugees and Migrants: Challenges and Implementation in Europe”. The panel on “Procedures and Equality – Preserving non-discrimination: a view from the Institutions”, looked to the fundamental obligations not to discriminate against refugees and migrants through the preservation of equal treatment. It considered the application of human rights and non-discrimination of refugees and migrants in specific contexts, including: employment, asylum applications, non-refoulement obligations and detention. The panel examined the obligations within the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and how they correlate to existing human rights of migrants and refugees. In the panel, ECRI presented its recommendations on migrants, including irregularly present migrants, and outlined the importance of standard setting in this field. ECRI has a long history of engaging Council of Europe states to improve their records in countering racism and intolerance, including in respect of migrants.
Newsletter - November 2020
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.