This page gathers statements and resources about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on migrant communities and on civil society working with migrants.
The current pandemic is in fact putting a disproportionate strain on children living in poverty, homeless children, refugee children, children in care, stateless and undocumented children, and children with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, among others. Children and young people will have to face a new different reality after the crisis and their future seems compromised, therefore they will have to be part of the solution, as the responsibility of the reconstruction will lie on them.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has issued a toolkit for governments across Europe on respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the COVID-19 crisis.
Statement from the Commissioner for Human Rights to review the situation of rejected asylum seekers and irregular migrants in immigration detention. Notes that immigration detention facilities generally provide poor opportunities for social distancing and other measures required to protect against COVID-19 infection. The Commissioner calls for the release of immigration detainees in the wake of the pandemic. Also notes that European Members should ensure that those released from detention are given appropriate access to accommodations and basic healthcare services.
This interim guide was created to assist countries in developing specific plans and/or consolidating further action for prisons and other places of detention in response to the international COVID-19 outbreak. It identifies preparedness plans, prevention and control strategies, and contingency plans.The document offers guidance as to: – protect the health and well-being of people detained in prisons and other closed settings, those who work there (custodial, health-care and other staff), and people who visit prisons and other places of detention (legal visitors, family and friends of prisoners, etc.); – support the continued safe operation of prisons and other detention settings – reduce the risk of outbreaks which could place a considerable demand on health-care services in prisons and in the community; – reduce the likelihood that COVID-19 will spread within prisons and other places of detention and from such settings into the community; – ensure the needs of prisons and other detention settings are considered in national and local health and emergency planning.
Interim guidance from WHO/Europe on how to deal with COVID-19 in prisons and other are places of detention. Provides information to staff and healthcare providers working in these places, as well as to prison authorities, on best practices. Outlines prevention guidelines and addresses related human rights issues.
This article depicts the hardships faced by migrant workers and associated risks in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, migrant workers are particularly challenged in that their right to remain in a country is dependent upon their job. The sudden losses of jobs as a result of the economic situation resulting from Covid-19 will leave migrants without status and facing deportation.The article further calls upon authorities to institute a number of measures aimed at protecting this vulnerable population, including: – ending immigration detention – suspension of all return decisions and deportations; – providing emergency support to marginalized populations; – addressing gaps in public health systems – prioritizing health over immigration status – addressing homelessness and food insecurity – ensuring police measures introduced to control population movements are not discriminatory – empower thru information – extend or issue temporary permits
