The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik, participated in the conference “Addressing Statelessness in Europe: Closing Protection Gaps and Realising Everyone’s Right to a Nationality” in Madrid.

The event, organised by the European Network on Statelessness and Convive Fundación CEPAIM,  brought together more than 250 participants, including representatives of international organisations, governments and civil society. It focused on assessing the global situation, raising awareness, building alliances to protect stateless people and ensure everyone’s right to a nationality.

In the opening panel, the SRSG outlined the standards and activities of the Council of Europe addressing statelessness, particularly the 1997 European Convention on Nationality. She referred to further work to be done in the context of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe to promote the right to a nationality, in particular for children. This work will build on the outcomes of the 2021 International Conference organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the UNHCR.

In the margins of the Conference, the SRSG also discussed joint activities and avenues for further cooperation with Gillian Triggs, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, and with Nina Gregori, Executive Director of the European Union Asylum Agency.  

The SRSG’s visit included meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration - Amapola Blasco Marhuenda; General Director of Management of the International and Temporary Protection Reception System. She also met with the Ministry of Interior - Elena Garzón Otamendi, Director General for International Relations and Foreigners, D. Juan José Álvarez Galán, Deputy Director General of International Protection and the Focal Point on Trafficking of Human Beings within the Citco (Centre against Terrorism and Organised Crime).

The Spanish officials updated her on the progress made and the new challenges faced since the Report on the fact-finding mission to Spain issued in 2018.

The Special Representative also exchanged views with several NGOs working on migration and asylum in Spain.