Asylum, migration and borders

FRA took part in a Council of Europe roundtable with selected National Preventive Mechanisms on fundamental rights monitoring and its challenges in the context of migration. Discussions paid particular attention to the new forms of fundamental rights monitoring under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Participating National Preventive Mechanisms, Council of Europe representatives and other participants, including the European Commission, the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, civic society organisations and FRA, exchanged experiences in monitoring from national perspectives. 

They discussed challenges in monitoring locations holding migrants and asylum applicants. They reflected on how to strengthen the preventive dimension of their work and how the new forms of monitoring under the EU Pact can be accommodated within their mandate. 

The Agency presented its current and planned work on operationalising its 2024 guidance on how to set up independent national monitoring mechanisms under the EU Pact, notably developing a common monitoring methodology for future monitoring bodies. FRA’s expertise and knowledge gained through its work operationalising its general guidance on monitoring under the EU Pact was recurrently sought throughout the event. 

The roundtable took place on 3 February in Larnaca, Cyprus. It was organised in the framework of the joint Council of Europe /EU Technical support for more effective and resilient National Preventive Mechanisms project.

Mardi 10 février 2026, le Défenseur des droits publie une étude sur les trajectoires et expériences professionnelles de descendants d’immigrés diplômés de l’enseignement supérieur, qui met en évidence des situations de déclassement professionnel, mais aussi de discriminations, racisme et sexisme ressentis à différents moments de leur parcours. Intitulée « Trajectoires et expériences professionnelles des descendants d'immigrés diplômés du supérieur selon le genre et l'origine. Approche par méthodes mixtes. », cette étude a été conduite par les chercheuses Yaël Brinbaum (LISE–CNRS-Cnam) et Ingrid Tucci (LEST–CNRS-Aix-Marseille-Université).

L’étude a été réalisée à partir de l’exploitation des données de l’enquête Trajectoires et Origines (TeO2) réalisée en 2019-2020 par l’Ined et l’Insee, et d’une post-enquête qualitative menée auprès de 38 personnes descendantes d'immigrés du Maghreb, d’Afrique subsaharienne, d’Asie du Sud-Est et de Turquie, toutes diplômées du supérieur (Bac+2 minimum). 

Orientation et diplômes du supérieur : des disparités selon le genre et l’origine

L’étude montre que l’accès aux diplômes du supérieur varie beaucoup selon l’origine et le genre. Les hommes descendants d’immigrés sont moins souvent diplômés que ceux de la population majoritaire, en particulier les descendants d’Algérie. Les femmes, quelle que soit leur origine, sont plus diplômées que les hommes, mais restent moins souvent diplômées du supérieur que les femmes sans ascendance migratoire. Ces écarts s’expliquent en partie par une origine sociale en moyenne moins favorisée (personnes plus souvent issues de familles monoactives, plus rarement enfants de cadres…).

Des parcours professionnels plus souvent discontinus en particulier pour les femmes

L’étude met en évidence des inégalités de trajectoires professionnelles, en particulier parmi les femmes diplômées : à niveau de diplôme équivalent, les descendantes d’immigrés subsahariens, marocains et tunisiens connaissent plus fréquemment des parcours discontinus que les femmes sans ascendance migratoire. Ces parcours sont plus souvent marqués par des périodes de chômage et des changements fréquents d’emplois. 

En revanche, les hommes descendants d’immigrés ont une trajectoire d’insertion professionnelle similaire à celle des hommes sans ascendance migratoire, à l’exception des descendants d’immigrés de Turquie/Moyen-Orient qui connaissent des trajectoires plus souvent discontinues. 

Des expériences de déclassement objectives et/ou ressenties

Les expériences de déclassement professionnel sont fréquentes. Certains diplômés occupent ainsi des emplois en dessous de leur niveau de qualification : c’est le cas d’un homme descendant d’immigrés d’Afrique subsaharienne sur deux, contre un peu plus d’un tiers de la population majoritaire. Seuls les descendants d’immigrés d’Asie du Sud-Est sont significativement moins souvent déclassés que la population majoritaire. Les femmes descendantes d’immigrés sont également plus souvent déclassées que la population majoritaire, quelle que soit leur origine migratoire. 

Le déclassement est aussi ressenti subjectivement, en particulier par les descendants d’immigrés d’Afrique subsaharienne et les descendantes d’immigrés algériens, qui se sentent plus souvent embauchés en dessous de leurs compétences. 

L’étude montre que les parcours professionnels des descendants d’immigrés s’accompagnent souvent d’expériences de discriminations. Celles-ci prennent différentes formes : propos stigmatisants, assignations à des postes subalternes, soupçons d’illégitimité, freins à la carrière… Les femmes subissent souvent un cumul de discriminations liées au sexe et à l’origine, tandis que certains hommes dénoncent le manque de diversité aux plus hauts niveaux de hiérarchie au sein des entreprises. Face à ces situations, certains choisissent de changer d’emploi ou de se mettre à leur compte.

L’étude souligne l’importance de renforcer les actions de sensibilisation et de formation aux discriminations, dès l’école et tout au long des parcours de formation et de la vie professionnelle.

Télécharger

• Éclairages - Trajectoires et expériences professionnelles des descendants d'immigrés diplômés du supérieur selon le genre et l'origine. Approche par méthodes mixtes - Février 2026 (pdf, 510.05 Ko)

On 10 February 2026, Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani and the First Deputy Public Dedenfer, Tamar Gvaramadze met with the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia, Natalia Voutova.

At the meeting the future prospects of the existing long-term co-operation between the Public Defender and the Council of Europe were discussed.

La convocatoria actual limita la participación simultánea en más de un cuerpo o en más de una opción dentro de la escala correspondiente, lo que restringe las posibilidades de acceso a la función pública
 

A raíz de varias quejas recibidas, la síndica ha emitido una resolución en relación con 31 procesos selectivos convocados por la Generalitat en los que se impide a los aspirantes, a pesar de disponer de la titulación adecuada, participar en más de un proceso.

Según la síndica, impedir, por ejemplo, que una persona con un grado en Derecho se presente a más de una opción del cuerpo superior (general y jurídica) o a una de un cuerpo inferior (gestión) supone una restricción injustificada del derecho de acceso a la función pública en condiciones de igualdad.

La Generalitat fundamenta esta restricción –recogida en las bases de la convocatoria– en la aplicación de la disposición adicional decimocuarta del Decreto Legislativo 1/1997. Sin embargo, a juicio de la síndica, esta norma no respalda la restricción aplicada.

Cabe recordar que la Constitución reconoce el derecho de los ciudadanos a acceder en condiciones de igualdad a las funciones y a los cargos públicos, de acuerdo con los principios de mérito y capacidad. En este sentido, cualquier limitación que afecte a la participación en un procedimiento selectivo debe interpretarse de forma restrictiva y estar debidamente justificada.

Por todo ello, la síndica solicita a la Generalitat que revise de oficio las bases de la convocatoria para permitir que todas las personas que dispongan de la titulación necesaria puedan presentarse a los procesos y opciones que sean de su interés. También solicita que se haga la máxima publicidad y difusión para que todas las personas afectadas puedan tener conocimiento de ello.

El plazo de inscripción finaliza el próximo 17 de febrero.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Armenia from 3 to 5 February 2026, focusing on three topical issues: anti-discrimination, violence against women and the human rights of Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia. The Commissioner expresses his appreciation to the Armenian authorities for their welcome, excellent cooperation and openness throughout the visit. He also extends his gratitude to representatives of civil society and international organisations for their constructive engagement and valuable insights.

Progress in human rights protection

The Commissioner acknowledges Armenia’s substantial progress in human rights protection, notably through reforms of legislation on anti-discrimination and on gender-based violence, and the country’s commitment to integrating Karabakh Armenians. Achievements include: the introduction of new instruments to address violence against women, including police and court protection orders; the establishment of victim support services; the development of long-term integration for Karabakh Armenians, as reflected in the sharp increase in the granting of Armenian citizenship to them; and an active dialogue with the Council of Europe and other international partners to align national legislation with international human rights standards.

Addressing the legislative gap in equality

Despite these advances, the Commissioner underscores that Armenia still lacks a comprehensive anti-discrimination framework: the long-pending draft law on equality has not yet been adopted. The Commissioner calls on the authorities to swiftly adopt, in consultation with civil society and in line with international standards, an anti-discrimination law establishing effective remedies for victims and empowering a well-resourced equality body with a robust mandate to act on discrimination. He also recommends that the law explicitly lists all protected grounds under international law, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

Combating violence against women: from law to practice

Violence against women remains a pervasive challenge and urgent concern. Patriarchal attitudes and entrenched gender stereotypes continue to exist in society and create significant barriers to progress. These prejudices reinforce victimisation and perpetuate suffering. Additional problems include disinformation campaigns around the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) and harassment of civil society working on this by anti-gender groups.

Legislative reforms, notably recent amendments to the 2017 law on the prevention of domestic violence and the 2022 Criminal Code, mark progress. The establishment of support centres and shelters for survivors and awareness-raising efforts are positive initial steps. However, the Commissioner is concerned by reports of insufficiently victim-centred practice within law enforcement and the judiciary, favouring the perpetrators’ perspectives under the guise of family reconciliation. He also calls attention to the inconsistent application and frequent judicial reversal of protection measures, lacunae in data collection, and limited funding and reach of shelters, especially for women in rural areas.

The Commissioner welcomes the growing recognition among authorities that a victim-centred, prevention-oriented response is essential. Nevertheless, he urges sustained investment in survivor support and protection and increased and long-term funding for NGOs delivering frontline services. He emphasises the need for proper implementation of updated domestic violence legislation, and mandatory gender sensitivity training based on international standards for all professionals involved, especially police officers who serve as first responders to domestic violence. 

“Protecting women and girls requires more than laws ; it requires an unequivocal commitment to their application and a shift in institutional culture,” stated Commissioner O’Flaherty. “Police and the judiciary must be trained to recognise the realities of violence against women and domestic violence, ensuring that victims find justice rather than pressure to reconcile with their abusers”.

Long-term integration of Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia

The Commissioner acknowledges Armenia’s outstanding solidarity and practical support for Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia. The swift mobilisation of emergency assistance—housing, social services, financial aid, and educational opportunities—reflects Armenia’s welcoming attitude. As the country transitions from emergency relief to long-term integration, the Commissioner notes the challenges ahead: ensuring economic integration, improving housing opportunities, restoring identity and pension-related documents, securing citizenship or other ways to avoid statelessness, and achieving social inclusion.

The Commissioner welcomes the authorities’ recognition of these challenges and ongoing efforts to adapt support programmes making them more inclusive, prioritise the most vulnerable, and foster self-reliance. He encourages the Armenian authorities to adopt a comprehensive, well-resourced integration strategy, involving displaced persons, civil society and international partners. By strengthening social safety nets, removing practical and legal barriers, and ensuring opportunities for all—including women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities—Armenia can solidify its rights-based response to the displacement.

The Commissioner also recalls that the right to voluntary, safe, and dignified return remains important for Karabakh Armenians, and invites the authorities to ensure that displaced persons are fully informed and supported in making free choices about their future. He acknowledges the sensitivities around this issue amid the ongoing peace process and encourages continued efforts to uphold rights and respond to the needs of all displaced persons.

“A successful integration strategy must be inclusive and comprehensive. It is vital that the most vulnerable—including children, older persons, and persons with disabilities—are not left behind. This requires a well-resourced strategy, developed in partnership with civil society, that guarantees not only housing and work but also the right of every individual to make a free and informed choice about their future.”

Ratification of the Istanbul Convention

The Commissioner notes with appreciation the clear commitment of Armenia’s officials to ratifying the Istanbul Convention, which was reaffirmed at the end of the visit by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan. He welcomes the fact that many provisions of the Convention have already been reflected in national legislation. The Commissioner encourages the authorities to take the final step and ratify the Convention as a matter of priority. He further recommends that the authorities address misconceptions and disinformation surrounding the Convention.

The Commissioner’s detailed observations are forthcoming.

During his visit to Armenia, the Commissioner met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Tigran Khachatryan; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan; the Minister of Justice, Srbuhi Galyan; the Minister of Internal Affairs, Arpine Sargsyan; the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Arsen Torosyan; the Chairperson of the Court of Cassation, Lilit Tadevosyan; the Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs of the National Assembly; the Armenian delegation to PACE; and the Human Rights Defender of Armenia (Ombuds), Anahit Manasyan. The Commissioner also engaged in discussions with the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Françoise Jacob, and representatives of UNHCR and UNFPA; the EU Ambassador, Vassilis Maragos; and with civil society organisations. The Commissioner visited a shelter for women survivors of domestic violence and held discussions with the shelter’s administration and survivors. The programme included a visit to the Historical Museum of Armenia.