A number of Council of Europe member states experience massive arrivals of migrants on an unprecedented scale. Most of these migrants apply for refugee status and many are granted international protection. The situation of others becomes irregular. While addressing the various challenges that arise in connection with reception, the processing of asylum applications, integration and removal, member states must respect their human-rights obligations. The Special Representative, based on the experience of his fact-finding missions, has identified several thematic areas in respect of which the Council can provide advice and support to all member states concerned. The first and priority general topic he has focused on is the protection of refugee and migrant children.