News Item

Training EU Delegations on visas for human rights defenders

FRA, together with the European Commission and ProtectDefenders.eu delivered online training for EU Delegations and consular staff in Member State embassies on the issue of visa for human rights defenders at risk.

FRA set the frame of who is a defender, what types of risk they face, their subsequent mobility needs, and the obstacles in obtaining visa. For this, it drew from its report on Protecting human rights defenders at risk: EU entry, stay and support

The Commission spoke about recent updates to the its Visa Code Handbook in view of facilitating visa for defenders. ProtectDefenders.eu gave concrete examples for implementation and presented their guidance for navigating the EU Visa Code in view of defenders. 

The Polish Ministry of Foreign affairs presented their practice on humanitarian visas. 

The training took place on 11 March upon invitation from the EU’s External Action Service.