Poland in the Council of Europe

The head of Polish diplomacy Radosław Sikorski drew attention to the topicality of migration, pointing out that this issue is present both in the political debate of states and in proceedings before international human rights bodies.

“The growing migration has diverse consequences for the countries of origin, destination, and transit alike. (...) We have divided these consequences into those related to human rights, law, and geopolitics,” underlined Poland’s top diplomat. He admitted that some of the consequences are fairly new to Poland because our country is becoming a country of destination rather than of origin, which it used to be for decades or even centuries. 

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski noted that the public debate should include the perspective and interests of the host country and the receiving society.
Otherwise, there is a risk of disregarding citizens' expectations regarding the protection of human rights.He also outlined the risks that will arise if European democracies and international human rights organisations fail to engage in a frank discussion about migration.

“Undemocratic groups will step in their place to take over the leadership and impose solutions that may completely disregard human rights commitments and the consequences will be severe,” warned Minister Sikorski.

This year's Seminar was special because it took place in the 75th anniversary year of the signing of the European Convention on Human Rights, which set standards for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms on the European continent and created a globally unique mechanism for their enforcement, namely the European Court of Human Rights.

Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty emphasized the unique role of the Convention, which is a ground-breaking step from the declaration contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to binding, enforceable law. It is precisely this transformation—from a moral obligation to a legal standard—that gives the Convention its special significance. The Commissioner also raised the question of how we should act today to effectively safeguard human dignity.

The seminar addressed the following themes:

- legal and geopolitical challenges related to migration and asylum,

- human rights commitments in migration and asylum law,

- the concept of a safe third country,

- protection of specific categories and groups of people in migration and asylum processes.

Speakers and moderators included representatives of the Council of Europe, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Migration in Poland, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights as well as delegates from Council of Europe member states, academia, NGOs, and leading think tanks.

On the sidelines of the Seminar, a bilateral meeting took place between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski and Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty. Their talks focused on supporting Ukraine, including post-war reconstruction, and on the need to incorporate the human rights dimension into this perspective. 

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The Warsaw Human Rights Seminars are regular human rights events held annually by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with domestic and foreign partners. The Seminars provide an international forum for debate and experience-sharing on subjects related to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. They help disseminate standards of human rights protection and inspire activities that enhance observance of these standards. Publications are available from selected Seminars.