Following a fact-finding visit to the Czech and Slovak Republics from 4 to 6 May, the Council of Europe’s Special Representative on Migration and Refugees pledged targeted support for the reception of vulnerable people fleeing Ukraine.
This will involve specific expertise for the authorities and professionals concerned so that they can respond to the needs of refugees in a way that respects their human rights, indicated Leyla Kayacik, who welcomed the efforts already made by the two countries.
The Special Representative draws particular attention to the risks of trafficking in human beings for women and children, which have already been denounced by the Council of Europe’s network of migration correspondents and the Commissioner for Human Rights. A representative of the “Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings” was also part of the delegation.
The promised expertise will be based on the concrete actions listed in the “Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025)” and on the Organisation’s standards formalised in several of its Conventions.
The Special Representative will also make “more extensive use” of the network of migration correspondents to enable the 45 Ministries represented in it to share best practice in dealing with the crisis.
During her visit, Leyla Kayacik met with representatives of Czech and Slovak governmental and local authorities, members of civil society and the offices of the Public Defender, as well as representatives of UNHCR, UNICEF and IOM.
Link to the Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons (2021-2025): https://aeur.eu/f/1kx (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)