Within the European Union/Council of Europe joint programme Horizontal Facility II, under the Action “Strengthening the Human Rights Protection of Migrants and Victims of Human Trafficking”, two trainings were provided to the personnel of Turkish Coast Guard Command between 02-05 August 2021 in İzmir.

The first training session concerned human rights and migration law. It was specifically requested by the beneficiary and developed under the Action. The training was tailored by international and local experts to the needs of Coast Guard personnel, who yearly rescue thousands of migrants on the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The training session will contribute to a better understanding and respect of the rights of migrants and refugees by the Coast Guards.

According to the statistics, nearly one/third of migrants who try or pass Turkish borders on their way to Europe are minors. Therefore, the second training aimed to raise awareness and enhance the capacities of Turkish Coast Guards on child friendly information and communication skills and developed based on the Council of Europe Handbook for frontline professionals “How to Convey Child Friendly Information to Children in Migration”.

According to a participant, a Coast Guard patrol boat captain, the information provided at the trainings will contribute not only to protection of the rights of migrants including children, but also to a better interaction of the Coast Guards with migrant children and thus, help to ensure a better compliance with the law and relevant European legal framework.

The trainings were organised within the framework of the Action “Strengthening the human rights protection of migrants and victims of human trafficking in Turkey”, part of the European Union/Council of Europe collaboration “Horizontal Facility-II for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”.