OSCE/ODIHR's expert panel meeting discusses safeguarding rights of asylum seekers, refugees and other persons in need during the migration crisis

The emergency situation of refugees in Europe was the focus of an expert panel meeting, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 12 and 13 November 2015 in Warsaw.

The expert panel meeting, “Migration crisis in the OSCE region: safeguarding the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and other persons in need,” gathered 55 representatives from the border and asylum authorities of Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Hungary, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Poland, Slovenia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey. Experts from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), the OSCE Mission to Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Skopje, the OSCE Secretariat and representatives from civil society organizations and academia also participated at the meeting.

"This meeting is part of ODIHR’s comprehensive response to the current migration crisis in Europe," said Michael Georg Link, Director of ODIHR. "We assist OSCE participating States in identifying good practices and possible policy measures to improve the situation of asylum seekers, refugees and other persons in need crossing into OSCE participating States in line with relevant OSCE commitments."

The participants discussed good practices emerging from the experiences of national authorities in processing of asylum seekers at their borders. They also addressed policies and mechanisms that can contribute to dignified treatment and protection of rights of asylum seekers and refugees when entering OSCE participating States’ territory.

The event is part of ODIHR’s efforts in supporting OSCE participating States in the implementation of their commitments in the areas of migration and freedom of movement.