The International Organization for Migration, the Hellenic Ministry of Migration and Asylum, through the Officer for the Protection of Fundamental Rights and the Cyprus Police, today launched the EU-funded project “Rightlines: Designing policies and actions to safeguard fundamental rights at the Greek and Cypriot borders” .
The program aims to ensure that migration flows and cross-border mobility fully comply with fundamental rights and are well managed with respect for the dignity and safety of all people on the move, including children and vulnerable migrants.
“Facilitating orderly migration is at the heart of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) mission and vision. As part of the Rightlines program, we work in close cooperation with the Greek and Cypriot authorities to strengthen the protection and promotion of fundamental rights in border management actions and policies. These efforts will strengthen the humanitarian and non-discriminatory response, ensuring the human rights, dignity and safety of all those on the move,” said Gianluca Rocco, IOM Head of Mission in Greece.
“A successful immigration policy must be both effective against irregular flows and humane in line with European values. We are humanitarians but we are not naive”, said Dimitris Kairides, Minister of Immigration and Asylum.
“The Rightlines program is an important step towards strengthening the EU’s mission to manage migration humanely and accurately. By strengthening the cooperation between the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Greece and Cyprus, we contribute to a border management that not only respects but actively promotes fundamental rights, ensuring a dignified and fair approach for all. This initiative is proof of our collective commitment to support the EU’s core values at our borders,” said Beate Gminder, Director-General of DG HOME at the European Commission.
Within the framework of the program, a series of actions are foreseen in relation to the border management policy in Greece and Cyprus. They will include training and practical training of frontline staff in Greece and Cyprus on fundamental rights, awareness raising and exchange of good practices between Greece and Cyprus. Research will also be conducted on the development and eventual implementation of a Fundamental Rights Strategy and action plan in Greece.
“The development and implementation of a national strategy for fundamental rights and the corresponding action plan in Greece will form the basis and point of reference in the country, for the effective protection and promotion of fundamental rights and will act as valuable tools in the EU’s effort for a coherent integrated framework of border management, in full compliance with fundamental rights”, said Konstantinos Solkidis, Fundamental Rights Protection Officer of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum.
“Taking into account its institutional role in safeguarding human rights, preventing and combating discrimination, Cyprus Police makes continuous and coordinated efforts to fulfill its obligations, with the aim of fighting crime, with respect for the human rights of citizens” , said Mrs Chryso Angeli, Deputy Director of the Finance Directorate of Cyprus Police.
Saving lives and protecting people who migrate are at the heart of the IOM’s new strategic plan, combined with proactive solutions to displacement and facilitating legal migration routes, which will contribute to safer migration that will reduce incentives for trafficking and human trafficking, exploitation and abuse.
