Newsletter May 2025
Council of Europe takes part in global dialogue on regional approaches to ending statelessness
On 20 May, the Division of Migration and Refugees (DMR) of the Council of Europe attended the online event focusing on the issue of statelessness, entitled: “Regional Action, Global Impact: Leveraging Regional Approaches and the Role of Inter-governmental Organisations in Addressing...
PACE report urges member states to strengthen co-operation between public and private actors involved in migration management
The Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, meeting in Paris on 19 May, called on member states to strengthen the co-operation between public and private actors involved in migration management, whether in terms of first assistance, reception, or inclusion of migrants, refugees,...
Greece should prevent pushbacks and ensure accountability for human rights violations at the borders
On 6 May, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published a memorandum on migration and border control in Greece, following his visit to the country from 3 to 7 February 2025. The Commissioner notes that Greece has been particularly affected by irregular...
ECRI’s annual report showcases its substantial migration-related work
In its annual report for 2024, published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-racism body, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), has outlined tackling racial profiling by law enforcement officials, addressing the segregation of Roma children at school, ensuring equal...
European Court of Human Rights hosts high-level roundtable on immigration and asylum
On 15 and 16 May 2025, a High-Level Roundtable titled “Judicial Dialogue through the Case-Law of the CJEU, the ECtHR, and National Courts in the Field of International Protection” was held at the premises of the Court in Strasbourg. This event, a tradition since 2012, brought together around 150...
European Court of Human Rights rules against Hungary in expulsion case
On 6 May, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Hungary in a case concerning the expulsion of Turkish national Orhan Demirci. He was removed from Hungary on 25 March 2021, following a 2020 recommendation by the country’s specialised intelligence agency, which deemed him a threat to...
Council of Europe contributes to roundtable on guardianship for unaccompanied children in Bulgaria
The Council of Europe’s Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) took part in the roundtable “Effective Guardianship for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Children in Bulgaria: Ways Forward in the Context of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum,” held in Sofia on 21 May 2025. Organised by...
CEB and Ukraine sign €50 million loan agreement to provide housing for internally displaced persons
On 26 May, the Government of Ukraine and The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) have signed a €50 million loan agreement to provide housing for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration – Minister for the Development of...
Scaling up support for migrant inclusion: CEB and European Commission mark completion of PAFMI initiative
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) hosted the final event of the “Partnerships and Financing for Migrant Inclusion” (PAFMI) initiative at the CEB headquarters in Paris yesterday. The event brought...
Trauma-informed care for children of Ukraine indispensable for any reconstruction efforts, says Special Envoy at a conference in Helsinki
Future needs of returned children, their rehabilitation and reintegration, including trauma-informed care was the focus of the intervention by the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the situation of children of Ukraine Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir at a...
7th meeting of Committee of Experts on Intercultural Inclusion (ADI INT) held in Strasbourg
On 13-14 May 2025, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Intercultural Inclusion (ADI‑INT) met in Strasbourg and advanced in its work on preparing guidance, tools and policies to foster inclusive societies across member states. The Committee approved a “Guidance document on strategies...
The Council of Europe supports Armenia in developing and promoting standards on human rights for children in crisis
Over 80 public officials, child rights experts and professionals gathered together on 22-23 May 2025 in Yerevan to advance the protection of children in Armenia, particularly in the event of crises. Children are among the most vulnerable groups during and after crises, facing complex challenges...