In response to the unprecedented situation created by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the millions of persons who have fled the country, the Special Representative took a number of initiatives, which included gathering first-hand information as to the fast-evolving situation and needs on the ground in neighbouring countries and beyond. Her priority actions focus on the protection of vulnerable persons fleeing Ukraine, in particular women, unaccompanied and separated children, and the elderly from abuse, violence, exploitation and human trafficking.
On 7 March 2022, the Special Representative travelled to Brussels to present her priority actions in the context of her mandate and in line with the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the context of Migration and Asylum (2021-2025), the implementation of which she coordinates, and exchanged views on the latest developments related to migration and asylum with EU and other partners in order to enhance synergies.
On 9 March 2022, the Special Representative convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Europe Network of Focal Points on Migration to gather information on the needs of the member states related to the Ukraine crisis. The agenda of the meeting included discussions on how best the Council of Europe can respond to those needs in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025).
On 17 March 2022, the Special Representative convened a meeting of the Co-ordination Group on Migration (CGM) with a thematic focus on the situation of people fleeing Ukraine. The aim of the CGM meeting was to co-ordinate actions withing the Organisation, enhance internal co-operation and serve as a platform to co-ordinate complementary measures among different entities dealing with migration-related topics.
On 30 March 2022, in Rome, the Office of the Special Representative organised jointly the event “Age assessment of unaccompanied migrant children: promoting a human rights and multidisciplinary approach” with Italy’s National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP) in the framework of the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. During the event, the Italian Protocol for age assessment of unaccompanied migrant children was presented, as well as the results of a national survey on its implementation at regional level. Other national procedures on age assessment, from Austria and Greece, were also presented and discussed. The Council of Europe´s expertise in this field includes recommendations, guidelines, training courses and a compilation of standards and good practices. In addition, the Council of Europe is currently in the final stages of adopting a Recommendation on “Human Rights Principles and Guidelines on age assessment for children in the context of migration”, which is also part of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025). In her opening speech, the Special Representative emphasised the importance of a human rights and multidisciplinary approach to age assessment procedures, in order to protect the rights of vulnerable children in the context of migration and asylum. “The use of common principles and guidelines across our member states will greatly contribute to upholding the human rights of children on the move”, she added. The programme also included presentations by relevant international organisations (EU Agency for Asylum, UNHCR and UNICEF) and civil society (Save the Children).