CoE Commissioner Mijatović intervenes before the European Court of Human Rights in a case concerning family reunification in Denmark

Date of article: 10/06/2020

Daily News of: 10/06/2020

Country:  EUROPE

Author: Commissioner for Human Rights - Council of Europe

Article language: en

Today the Commissioner took part in the hearing before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of M.A. v. Denmark concerning the refusal to grant family reunification to a Syrian national with temporary protection status, because he had not yet held a residence permit for three years.

“The issue of family reunification is key to the lives of many people receiving international protection in Europe. Research shows the devastating effects of concerns about the situation of family members who are left behind on the mental well-being of recipients of international protection and on their integration”, said the Commissioner.

The Commissioner observed that a number of Council of Europe member states, including Denmark, have introduced restrictions limiting the family reunification rights of persons with subsidiary or temporary protection, whilst such restrictions have not been applied to persons recognised as refugees.

In light of the similar situation of persons with such other statuses to those defined in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and the fact that their need for protection is in practice almost never temporary, the Commissioner emphasised that differential treatment with regard to family reunification, and in particular subjecting them to a waiting period, cannot be objectively and reasonably justified.

She also reiterated her concern that specific national groups, such as Syrians, are particularly affected by restrictions on family reunification and underscores that prolonging family separation is ultimately detrimental to integration efforts.

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El Defensor del Menor se interesa por los problemas telemáticos del proceso de matriculación

Date of article: 10/06/2020

Daily News of: 10/06/2020

Country:  Spain - Andalucia

Author:

Article language: es

Quiere conocer qué medidas se han adoptado para solventar los problemas técnicos, así como si se baraja la posibilidad de prorrogar el plazo

El Defensor del Menor de Andalucía, Jesús Maeztu, ha abierto una queja de oficio tras tener conocimiento, tanto a través de las consultas recibidas en nuestro Servicio de atención e información a la ciudadanía, como a través de las redes sociales y, así mismo, por las numerosas noticias aparecida en la prensa de los últimos días, de los problemas técnicos sufridos en los servidores de la Secretaría Virtual de la Junta de Andalucía, que ha impedido a miles de familias matricular a sus hijos e hijas en sus respectivos centros docentes.

A pesar de que tras detectarse los problemas iniciales se procedió a triplicar la capacidad de dichos servidores, este hecho no ha evitado que se hayan seguido sucediendo los problemas de colapso en la red, de modo que en muchas ocasiones los usuarios indican estar horas intentando acceder a la matriculación on line sin poder conseguirlo. Dado que el plazo de matriculación concluye el próximo lunes día 8 de junio, las familias se encuentran desconcertadas porque finalizado dicho plazo no hayan podido formalizar las matrículas, desconcierto que comparten los propios centros docentes, algunos de los cuales han aconsejado a quienes han consultado que se acerquen al centro a formalizarla de manera presencial, que era precisamente lo que se trataba de evitar.

Teniendo en cuenta, pues, los antecedentes expuestos, los preceptos citados y nuestras consideraciones, de conformidad con el art. 10 de la Ley 9/1983, de 1 de Diciembre, reguladora de esta Institución, consideramos justificado iniciar un expediente de oficio con el objeto de conocer qué medidas se han adoptado para solventar los problemas técnicos citados, así como si se baraja la posibilidad de prorrogar el plazo de matriculación en el caso de que no se pudieran resolver los problemas surgidos con la celeridad que requiere la premura de dichos plazos.

Ante tantas consultas recibidas y la inminencia de la finalización del plazo, debemos contestarles y darles a conocer su respuesta con la máxima urgencia. En consecuencia, a fin de dar a esta queja el trámite ordinario, en base a los artículos 18.1 y 19.1 de la Ley del Defensor del Pueblo Andaluz, interesamos de la Administración que, a la mayor urgencia posible, nos remita el informe, para el esclarecimiento de asunto en cuestión.

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FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2020 out soon

Date of article: 10/06/2020

Daily News of: 10/06/2020

Country:  EUROPE

Author:

Article language: en

This year’s Fundamental Rights Report reflects on the developments and shortfalls of human rights protection in the EU over the past year.

In its focus section, it highlights how awareness and the use of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter by national governments remain limited despite being legally binding for 10 years. It shows that national courts are making more use of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. 

The report’s remaining chapters review the main developments of 2019 regarding: equality and non-discrimination; racism, xenophobia and related intolerance; Roma equality and inclusion; asylum, borders and migration; information society, privacy and data protection; rights of the child; access to justice; and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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COVID-19 update

Date of article: 10/06/2020

Daily News of: 10/06/2020

Country:  United Kingdom - Scotland

Author:

Article language: en

Like most organisations, at the SPSO we have implemented our business continuity procedures.  We are continually assessing the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our ability to continue to deliver high quality services and updating staff and stakeholders regularly.

We have robust business continuity plans in place for unforeseen events. However, the unprecedented circumstances we are now facing are presenting us with substantial resourcing challenges.  This inevitably means that there will be delays in our service provision. We expect the impacts on our service to be significant, and unfortunately there are unprecedented delays in our ability to continue delivering our services to the timescales and levels we normally do.

We are reviewing the situation on a daily basis and are closely following the advice issued by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland.

We are updating this webpage, and the related information for customers and for organisations, as the situation develops.  We also issue regular twitter updates.

Further information

Please read additional information 

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