News
The meeting of Focal Points on Migration confirmed the commitment of member states to protect persons in a vulnerable situation fleeing Ukraine
On 1-2 December 2022, the Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, chaired the 6th meeting of the Network of Focal Points on Migration. Participants from ministries dealing with migration issues from over 40 member states gathered in a hybrid format to discuss how...
Special Representative hosts FRONTEX team at Council of Europe
On 8-10 November 2022, the Special Representative on Migration and Refugees is hosting the second study visit of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex team of Fundamental Rights Monitors to the Council of Europe. The delegation was this year joined by a representative of the EU...
The Special Representative addressed the 43rd Congress session
The Special Representative on Migration and Refugees of Council of Europe Secretary General, Leyla Kayacik, addressed the 43rd session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. During the discussion on the reception of refugee women and children in Europe’s cities and regions, she...
Asylum and Human Rights: Council of Europe and UNHCR launch HELP course for Polish legal professionals
The Council of Europe and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in co-operation with the national Bar Association, are launching the HELP course on Asylum and Human Rights for Polish legal professionals. The course addresses main challenges and best practices that legal...
Special Representative addressed the UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik, represented the Council of Europe at the 73rd session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme in Geneva. As this year was marked by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, she...
Angela Merkel to receive UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for protecting refugees at height of Syria crisis
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today that Dr. Angela Merkel, the former Federal Chancellor of Germany, will receive the 2022 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award. Each year, the award – named after the Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen – is given to an...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees publishes fact-finding mission report on the Republic of Moldova
In the face of an unprecedented influx of refugees, the Moldovan authorities managed to mobilise resources and join efforts in an outstanding response to provide immediate assistance to those fleeing Ukraine. In the report, published today, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees publishes fact-finding mission report on Poland
Following the visit to Poland, the primary destination for millions of people fleeing Ukraine since the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik presented her report to the Committee of...
CoE/UNHCR roundtable: effective protection of vulnerable migrants and refugees, including women and children fleeing Ukraine
Read the summary of this roundtable Today, the Office of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) and the Office of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Bratislava organised a joint online event on “Strengthening the protection against abuse and exploitation...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees publishes reports of visit to Czech and Slovak Republics
The Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, has emphasised in her report the efficient response of the Czech Republic to an unprecedented situation, resulting in a swift setting-up of well-run registration centres where national, local and non-governmental actors...
Council of Europe and UNHCR: anyone fleeing war or persecution has the right to seek safety and protection
On the occasion of World Refugee Day on 20 June 2022, the Council of Europe and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) emphasise that anyone fleeing war, conflict or persecution or risking violence, abuse or exploitation, has the right to seek safety and protection. Almost four months into the war in...
The Republic of Moldova is deploying extraordinary efforts to welcome people fleeing war in Ukraine, but needs additional resources and expertise
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) concludes her fact-finding visit to the Republic of Moldova (13-15 June 2022), which focused on the protection of the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. The number of arrivals in the country has decreased...
The 5th meeting of the Network of Focal Points on Migration addressed the situation of people fleeing Ukraine and discussed child-friendly approaches and procedures in migration
On 9 and 10 June, the Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, chaired the 5th meeting of the Network of Focal Points on Migration. The meeting, in a hybrid format, gathered participants from relevant ministries dealing with migration issues, coming from 40 member...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees to visit Republic of Moldova
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees Leyla Kayacik, (SRSG) will visit the Republic of Moldova on 13-15 June 2022. The country has taken in the largest number of refugees from Ukraine in relation to its population. She will explore how the Council of Europe...
Poland is the main country receiving people fleeing the war in Ukraine: medium and long-term solutions are needed
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees Leyla Kayacik, (SRSG), concluded her fact-finding visit to Poland (30 May-3 June) which focused on the protection of people fleeing the war in Ukraine[1]. “Poland is the main country of arrival for refugees fleeing...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees to visit Poland
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) Leyla Kayacik will visit Poland from 30 May to 3 June in order to determine how vulnerable people fleeing Ukraine can be further protected. The Special Representative will explore how best the Council of Europe...
Protecting rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls: Council of Europe recommendation adopted
The Committee of Ministers, meeting in Turin, has adopted a new recommendation to protect the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls providing measures to better respond to needs and challenges that they face. Drawing on Council of Europe treaties including the Istanbul...
Slovak Republic, Czech Republic commended for their efforts – Council of Europe offers targeted support to persons in a vulnerable situation fleeing Ukraine
After completing her fact-finding visit to the Slovak Republic (2-4 May 2022) and Czech Republic, (4-6 May 2022), the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, commended the efforts made by both countries in hosting a large number of people fleeing Ukraine, mostly...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees to visit the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, will visit the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic from 2 to 6 May 2022. The aim of the visit is to follow-up on the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Europe´s Network on Focal Points on...
Council of Europe assesses measures taken by states to protect children on the move from sexual abuse and exploitation
With Europe facing the second major refugee crisis in less than a decade, the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee has published ten compliance reports evaluating legislation, services and other measures in place for the protection of children affected by the refugee crisis from sexual...
Follow us
