The European Commission yesterday adopted a Recommendation and Renewed Action Plan for EU member states to consider in their procedures to return men, women and children staying irregularly in the EU to their countries of origin or transit. It encourages member states to undertake swift returns, which limit basic safeguards and rights that should be guaranteed to all migrants, including in cases involving children.

In remarks delivered at the occasion of Human Rights Day 2016, the Acting OHCHR Regional Representative of Europe, Paul d'Auchamp, spoke out against populism and demagogues that threaten hard-won human rights. In his speech, he emphasized the though challenge ahead in confronting a world whose political and societal realities have become more difficult.

The UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe expresses its serious concern at the attack against Krassimir Kanev, the chairman of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) in the morning of 27 October. Mr. Kanev was attacked by unknown men in Sofia, allegedly in retaliation for his human rights work. BHC has been working actively to protect and advance human rights in Bulgaria, and Mr. Kanev has been a strong advocate for the rights of people in vulnerable situations, including Roma, Muslims, refugees, migrants and LGBT communities.

In the statement endorsed by UN Human Rights Office - Regional Office for Europe, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) underlined the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights’ independence and its respected work to promote and protect human rights.

In September 2016, all EU governments committed to ending migrant children detention by signing the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants.

Traditionally, summer holidays coincide with the eviction of Roma and Travellers throughout Europe, which takes place almost unnoticed.

The UN Human Rights Office continues its engagement with Greece on several major human rights challenges. On 18 to 21 April, a joint mission of the Regional Office for Europe and the Migration Team visited so-called hotspots in Lesvos and Chios, the makeshift camp near the closed northern border in Idomeni and an official open accommodation center run by the Greek army at Nea Kavala.

On 8 April 2016, as every year, we celebrate International Roma Day – once again in a situation where human rights challenges faced by Roma individuals, families and communities across Europe remain very serious.