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Council of Europe calls for stronger support systems for refugees and people seeking asylum

Kamena Dorling
On 19 May, the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons made a powerful call to action: member states must improve the collaboration between public and private sectors in supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. This includes stronger partnerships between local governments, communities, and civil society organisations. 

Crucially, the Committee also called for an end to the use of large-scale sites as asylum accommodation, urging governments instead to empower local authorities to house people within communities. It also highlighted the urgent need for better safeguards for unaccompanied children those whose ages are in question. 

These recommendations follow a fact-finding mission the Committee carried out in London, Dover, and Canterbury from 24–26 March 2025. During the visit, members met with the Helen Bamber Foundation (HBF) and other NGOs, who raised serious concerns about the UK’s asylum system. HBF criticised the continued use of Wethersfield asylum camp, in light of significant harm it causes to those housed there. We also flagged the troubling rise in children arriving in Dover who are incorrectly treated as adults by border officials. 

In its concluding statement, the Committee urged member states to take the following actions: 

  • Ensure timely and adequate medical care for people seeking asylum, including mental health support; 

  • Establish clear procedures to identify individuals with specific needs, and introduce safe, child-sensitive methods for assessing the age of unaccompanied children; 

  • Provide comprehensive and accessible information on immigration and asylum rights, and ensure people can access protection procedures; 

  • Strengthen collaboration between public services, local authorities, community groups, and civil society organisations; 

  • Set clear, reasonable timelines for processing asylum applications; and 

  • Move away from large reception centres in favour of more dignified housing within local communities. 

 The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly will debate these recommendations during its 23-27 June 2025 summer session.  

Read the full article here.