News
Launch of the Council of Europe package of measures in response to the refugee influx in Armenia
The Council of Europe has launched a comprehensive response package to the refugee influx in Armenia of € 2.8 million. As part of the package, the Council of Europe has launched four new initiatives and incorporated additional components into two ongoing projects. “The response package aims at...
Secretary General appoints David Best as Special Representative on Migration and Refugees
Today, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić announced the appointment of Swiss diplomat David Best as her Special Representative on Migration and Refugees. The Council of Europe provides a close dialogue and support to its member states in responding to these challenges on the basis of the...
Special Representative publishes report on fact-finding mission to Bulgaria
On 30 January, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, presented to the Committee of Ministers a report of her fact-finding mission to Bulgaria, which took place from 11 to 14 September 2023. In the report, the SRSG examines the human...
EUAA/FRA delegation visits the Council of Europe
A delegation from the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA), including a representative from the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), paid a study visit to the Council of Europe. The Secretary-General's Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, welcomed the...
Protecting children at Europe’s borders – new guidance for border officials and other authorities
A new joint publication from the Council of Europe and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) outlines the relevant human rights standards at Europe’s borders that apply to children. The note on ‘Children in migration: Fundamental rights at European borders’ summarises the main...
SRSG addresses Global Refugee Forum in Geneva
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, represented the Council of Europe at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF), which took place from 13 to 15 December in Geneva In her speech, she highlighted Council of Europe´s work focusing on the...
Navigating Challenges and Building Solidarity: Highlights from the 8th Network of Focal Points on Migration Meeting
On 30 November and 1 December 2023, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, chaired the 8th meeting of the Network of Focal Points on Migration (NFPM), which brought together participants from ministries dealing with migration issues...
EPAS Diversity Conference: “the inclusion of child migrants and refugees in and through sport is an investment with great returns”
For the first time, Liechtenstein hosted the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) biennial Diversity Conference “Inclusion of Child Migrants and Refugees in and through Sport” under the framework of its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. One of the presidency...
Three events held as follow up to SRSG report of fact-finding mission to Romania
From 22 to 24 November, three separate events were organised in Bucharest as follow ups to the report of the fact-finding mission to Romania, carried out by the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik. Further strengthening the protection of...
Psychological support to refugees: Council of Europe strengthening professional capacities in Romania
The Council of Europe organised a training on Psychological Support to Refugees: Strengthening Professional Capacities in Bucharest, Romania. The training, on 23 and 24 November, is organised by the Directorate of Political Affairs and External Relations of the Council of Europe, in close...
CoE/UNHCR round table: Strengthening the protection of children and victims of gender-based violence, in the context of refugee flows in Romania
Further strengthening the protection of refugees, in particular women and children in a vulnerable situation, was the main focus of a round table discussion on “Strengthening the protection of children and victims of gender-based violence, in the context of refugee flows in Romania”, co-organised...
SRSG at CoE/UNHCR roundtable in Ankara; meets Turkish officials
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacık, has taken part in the opening of a roundtable meeting on the “Protection of Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants under the European Convention on Human Rights” in Ankara. The roundtable, on 3...
Council of Europe to prepare package of measures in response to refugee influx in Armenia following Special Representative on Migration and Refugees’ visit
The Council of Europe is preparing a comprehensive response package to the refugee influx in Armenia following a visit by the Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) Leyla Kayacik from 11 to 13 October 2023. This package aims to provide support to Armenia in addressing the issues...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees publishes report on fact-finding mission to Hungary
In a report published on 27 September, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, highlighted the significant efforts made by the Hungarian authorities at both the national and local levels, in co-ordination with NGOs and volunteers, to...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees to visit Bulgaria
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik is making a fact-finding visit to Bulgaria from 11 to 15 September. The visit will focus on those in vulnerable situations, in particular unaccompanied and separated children, and is aimed at...
World Refugee Day: The Council of Europe maintains its focus on protecting the vulnerable
Each year on 20 June, the world marks World Refugee Day, to draw attention to the plight of millions of people who have been forced to flee war, violence and persecution and to the international obligations under the United Nations 1951 Geneva Convention on the Protection of Refugees. In the face...
SRSG takes part in two follow-up events in Poland
The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik, has taken part in two events in Warsaw, both linked to her fact-finding mission to Poland. At a seminar on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings for the Purpose of Labour...
SRSG takes part in international conference on statelessness; meets government officials and civil society representatives in Madrid
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...
Network of Focal Points on Migration place focus on children from Ukraine who found refuge in Council of Europe Member States
On 1-2 June 2023, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, chaired the 7th meeting of the Network of Focal Points on Migration (NFPM), which gathered participants from ministries dealing with migration issues from more than 40 member...
Practical tools to help young migrants and refugees in transition to adulthood launched in Strasbourg
The Council of Europe today launched a set of practical tools aimed at helping young migrants and refugees in their transition to adulthood, with the support of the Icelandic Presidency of the Committe of Ministers and the participation of Iceland’s Minister of Education and Children, Ásmundur...
