20/05/2026 Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Following the adoption of the Chişinău Declaration on migration, PACE’s Migration Committee has requested a current affairs debate on the topic at the Assembly’s forthcoming summer plenary session (22-26 June 2026).
The committee’s Chairperson Sandra Zampa (Italy, SOC) echoed Assembly President Petra Bayr in welcoming the core principles of the Declaration: “46 states reaffirming, together, that the European Convention on Human Rights is not negotiable, that the Court is independent, that human rights are universal.”
She added: “The Declaration emphasises that states, in controlling the entry and residence of foreign nationals, and in establishing their migration policies, are always obliged to respect the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly with regard to the principle of non-discrimination, and the absolute prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.”
Ms Zampa welcomed the Committee of Ministers’ renewed focus on migration: “It is clear that discussions around complex questions, such as externalised migration policies and the ‘instrumentalisation’ of migration movements, will continue and that European countries can and should work together on approaches and best practices which respect the human rights of all, including migrants in all their different situations.”
She added: “It is important that politicians and governments avoid encouraging a climate which can lead to the stigmatisation of migrants and persons of migrant origin. They must enjoy the same human rights as everyone else. These rights belong to us all, and weakening them for one group ultimately weakens them for everyone.”