As the Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organisation aimed at promoting human rights and seeking solutions to the problems faced by European society through making proposals and recommendations, the protection of external borders is not a pursuit within its remit. However The Ad Hoc Committee of Experts on the Legal Aspects of Territorial Asylum, Refugees and Stateless Persons (CAHAR), which was set up to follow developments in the area of asylum, refugees and stateless persons in Council of Europe countries, has on its agenda at present the issue of training for officials who first come into contact with asylum-seekers at border points.(1) It may therefore in the future make recommendations for solutions to the problems related to border officials and the treatment of asylum seekers in Council of Europe countries.

(1) See the Council of Europe website description of the role of CAHAR.

Analysis provided by: Anisa Niaz LLM (Public Law), United Kingdom.