On 24 January 2022, during the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the report European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum: a human rights perspective by rapporteur Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ukraine, EC/DA, was adopted. The report urged improvements to the proposed new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

PACE welcomed the EU’s commitment to integrating European human rights fully into all its policies on migration and asylum but said its proposed new Pact on Migration and Asylum is “very complex” and raises concerns that proposed accelerated asylum procedures may reduce their quality and fairness. The Assembly recommended that EU member States agree to a mandatory relocation system, as a measure of solidarity with EU border countries, prioritising the cases of family reunion and unaccompanied migrant children. It also invited the EU to amend the Pact’s proposed Screening Regulation to ensure that it includes an effective suspensive remedy against incorrect screening categorisation, and to better address the needs of persons in vulnerable situations, victims of human trafficking and women victims of gender-based violence. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, taking part in the debate remotely, underlined that the proposals sought to manage arrivals in an orderly way. Not all people seeking entry to the EU have a right to stay, she pointed out, but all should have a fair assessment, a clear decision within a reasonable time, and be treated with respect and dignity. She welcomed the PACE report and pledged to take it into account.

Also, during the session, the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, elected Mr Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/CD) as its new Chair. In addition, the Bureau of the Committee elected Mr Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL), as its 1st Vice-Chairperson, Mr Oleksii Goncharenko (Ukraine, EC/DA), its 2nd Vice-Chairperson and Mr Domagoj Hajduković (Croatia, SOC), its 3rd Vice-Chairperson. At the same time, Tatiana Termacic took up her functions as the new Head of Secretariat of the Committee.