EFSAS acquires Consultative Status with the Council of Europe and meets Committees of the Council in Strasbourg

18-07-2017 till 21-07-2017

A delegation of EFSAS consisting of Ms. Yoana Barakova (Research Analyst), Mr. Dušan Vejinović (Senior Research Analyst) and Mr. Junaid Qureshi (Director) held meetings with various Committees of the Council of Europe, Europe’s leading international Human Rights organisation in Strasbourg which comprises of 47 countries of Europe, 28 of which are members of the European Union.

EFSAS apprised the Council of the volatile political situation in South Asia, the state of Human Rights including violations thereof, expansionist designs of China as part of the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, growing radicalization in countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the challenges the region faces because of 'increasing' terrorism.

First picture: EFSAS delegation with Ms. Päivi Suhonen, Council of Europe - Office of the Secretary General’s Special Representative on Migration and Refugees. Second picture: Mr. Dušan Vejinović and Ms. Yoana Barakova with Ms. Ardita Abdiu, Council of Europe - Economic Crime and Cooperation Division (Action Against Crime Department)

EFSAS was officially added to the Council’s formal list of NGOs with which the Council cooperates to increase active participation in the policies and work programme of the Council of Europe, and to reinforce liaison between the Council of Europe and the various associations in member States and beyond. This means that EFSAS has acquired the status of an NGO with a ‘consultative status’ with the Council of Europe, through which, EFSAS will be included in intergovernmental activities and participate in dialogue with members of parliament and local and regional authorities on challenges facing society.

First picture: Mr. Junaid Qureshi and Ms. Yoana Barakova with Mr. David Dolidze, Council of Europe - Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings - GRETA and the Committee of the Parties Directorate of Human Dignity and Equality. Second picture: Mr. Dušan Vejinović and Ms. Yoana Barakova with Ms. Muriel Julien, Council of Europe - European Youth Centre (Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation)

EFSAS will keep cooperating with the Council of Europe and thereby increase institutionalization of its efforts with various partners in Europe and the rest of the world in order to conduct in-depth research and conceive new ideas which will assist it in finding sustainable solutions to conflicts in South Asia and facilitate an atmosphere of reconciliation, peace and tranquillity in the region.

First picture: Mr. Junaid Qureshi and Ms. Yoana Barakova with Ms. Francesca Gordon, Council of Europe - European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Second picture: Mr. Junaid Qureshi and Ms. Yoana Barakova with Mr. Christopher Reynolds, Council of Europe - Education Policy Division.

Among others, the delegation of EFSAS met with Christopher Reynolds, Council of Europe - Education Policy Division, Päivi Suhonen, Council of Europe - Office of the Secretary General’s Special Representative on Migration and Refugees, Sophie Bilge Kurt, Council of Europe - European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Francesca Gordon, Council of Europe - European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ardita Abdiu, Council of Europe - Economic Crime and Cooperation Division (Action Against Crime Department), David Dolidze, Council of Europe - Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings - GRETA and the Committee of the Parties Directorate of Human Dignity and Equality, Muriel Julien, Council of Europe - European Youth Centre (Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation) and Kevser Dilek, COJEP International - International Relations.

Meetings