02/07/2024 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
PACE rapporteur Stephanie Krisper (Austria, ALDE) has expressed concerns at the decision by the Polish government in June 2024 to enhance the operations of the armed forces, the police and the border guard in Poland in the event of a threat to state security. The draft law suggests that the use...
20/06/2024 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Statement by Oleksii Goncharenko (Ukraine, EC/DA), the Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, on World Refugee Day (20 June 2024): “On the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe, and as we mark World Refugee Day, I call for a transformation of the...
07/06/2024 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Participants at a conference in Luxembourg have explored ways that national parliaments can help to address the challenges faced by Belarusians in exile – whether practical support on issues such as avoiding reprisals and entry and residence procedures, or by helping to preserve Belarusian...
30/05/2024 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Since the start of Russia's war of aggression on 24 February 2022, millions of Ukrainians have left their homes to seek refuge. According to the UNHCR, two years later more than 5.9 million Ukrainian citizens have taken refuge in Europe, and more than 500,000 have moved outside Europe. There are...
30/05/2024 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
The Migration Committee, meeting in Paris today, expressed its concern about the use of explosive weapons in populated areas – particularly landmines – which often results in the displacement of people within and across borders, and later impedes their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable...
30/05/2024 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
A PACE committee has warned against the gradual erosion of the right to seek asylum, which will eventually lead to “chaos and suffering”, and urged the Council of Europe’s 46 member states to avoid resorting to “policies of deterrence” to dissuade migrants and asylum-seekers from travelling to...
15/12/2023 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
A Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) hearing on the situation of the children of Ukraine will take place in Paris on 15 December 2023. The meeting, which will be live-streamed, will be opened at 9.30 a.m. by PACE President Tiny Kox and PACE Vice-President Olena Khomenko (Ukraine, EC...
15/12/2023 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
“Migration routes have become increasingly dangerous, not only because of smuggling networks abusing migrants with often no safe and legal alternative to migrate accessible to them, but also because of pushbacks which have unfortunately become tolerated policies in a number of Council of Europe’s...
15/12/2023 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
“We politicians have a duty to take action, to support the children of Ukraine and their future, in host countries and within Ukraine. And we also have a duty to make every possible effort to help the return of deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children,” PACE President Tiny Kox said at...
08/12/2023 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Precarious and irregular work situations of migrant workers have increased over the years. Their vulnerability is aggravated by cumulative factors, especially by the limited nature of seasonal work contracts, linguistic barriers, or the lengthy and cumbersome procedures for obtaining work permits...
08/12/2023 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
The report presented by Stephanie Krisper (Austria, ALDE) to the Migration Committee, meeting in Paris, highlighted that the basic needs of a high number of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in the areas of Calais and Dunkirk (France), were not met. It mentions in particular insufficient...
10/11/2023 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
PACE rapporteur Paul Galles (Luxembourg, EPP/CD) on “Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile” today urged that, amidst the tragedies happening around the planet, the fight for a democratic and free Belarus must remain high on the agenda. In this context, he welcomed...