25/01/2023 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Some 200 to 500 000 Belarusians were forced to flee their country as a result of the repression that fell after the rigged elections of 9 August 2020. While they have a common wish – return as rapidly as possible to a democratic Belarus – they do not necessarily describe themselves in the same...
16/12/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
On International Migrants Day, Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/CD), the Chairperson of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, recalled the importance of upholding human rights for all. This should become a reality in the 21st century for migrants and refugees. The...
07/12/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
On the eve of the Council of the EU’s decision on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis regarding Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced persons today adopted the following statement: "The Committee welcomes the enlargement of...
18/10/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/CD), Chair of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, has made the following statement to mark European Anti-trafficking Day (18 October 2022): “Armed conflicts, climate change, economic recession and food insecurity have multiplied the...
10/10/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
The Ukrainian diaspora in Alsace, the second largest in France, saw its role and responsibilities change after the 24 February 2022 when Russia's aggression against Ukraine began. In an exchange of views held with the Sub-Committee on Diasporas and Integration, Iryna Petrovska, Vice-President of...
29/07/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
“On the eve of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons (30 July 2022), I call on everyone to speak out against the immense suffering and abuse inflicted on huge numbers of victims of trafficking,” said Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/CD), Chair of the Migration Committee of the...
21/06/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
In a declaration adopted today, the PACE Migration Committee has expressed serious concern about the new Nationality and Borders Bill put forward by the United Kingdom Government – and passed by Parliament on 27 April 2022 – which would, in effect, “contravene the United Kingdom’s obligations...
21/06/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
PACE’s Migration Committee is encouraging the development of “new and up-to-date criteria” at the Council of Europe level for states to assess the safety of third countries when transferring asylum seekers. Approving a draft resolution based on a report by Stephanie Krisper (Austria, ALDE), the...
21/06/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Pushbacks have taken on worrying proportions, taking place routinely on land, but also in the more deadly environment of the sea. Pushbacks render the plight of migrants and refugees even harsher, heightening the risk to lose one’s life in an extremely perilous journey. PACE Committee on...
17/06/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/CD), Chair of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, has made the following statement to mark World Refugee Day (20 June 2022): “2022 has seen the largest displacement of persons in Europe since the Second World War. Several million...
03/06/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
The Migration Committee today expressed its concern at the humanitarian consequences of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, leading to the largest population movement since the Second World War. It commended the solidarity of member States, which by mid-May 2022 had taken in more...
03/06/2022 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as the increase in arrivals of asylum seekers and migrants across the Mediterranean Sea, have caused rapidly growing numbers of unaccompanied and separated migrant and refugee children in Europe. Confronted with this worrying situation...