Category Archives: Migration & Asylum

Migration and asylum are human rights issues. Frequently, individuals and families leave their places of origin or residence seeking an improvement in their living conditions or simply fleeing violence or war.
The current scale of the phenomenon at the EU borders is worrying, as are the tragedies and deaths that result from the desperation of migrants, many of them victims of criminal activities of smugglers and traffickers. Integration of migrants and asylum seekers is also a challenge.
The COMECE Secretariat works for the rights of migrants, refugees and hosting societies to be harmonised and respected in the EU for the sake of the common good in the Christian spirit of welcoming the stranger.
COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Working Group on Migration and Asylum.
Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

STATEMENT | COMECE President reacts to European Parliament vote on the Return Regulation

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) publishes a statement by its President, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, in response to the vote held today, Wednesday 17 June 2026, in the European Parliament on the new Return Regulation, which complements the recently implemented Pact on Migration and Asylum. Read & Download the Statement In his statement, bishop Crociata acknowledges the legitimate responsibility … Continue reading »

Education & Culture, EU External Affairs, Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press, Youth policies

News

OPPORTUNITY | European Summer School 2026: Applications now open

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), in collaboration with the University Francisco de Vitoria (UFV) and the Institute for the Global Common Good (IBCG), will organise the third edition of the European Summer School from 29 June to 3 July 2026 at the historic monastery Oude Abdij Drongen, located just outside Ghent, Belgium. Info & Application Under the theme “Rebirth … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

European Parliament vote on return policies raises serious concerns about the EU’s commitment to its fundamental values

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), on Friday, 27 March 2026, expresses its deep concern following the recent vote of the European Parliament on new EU return policies in the field of migration. Download the Press Release [EN – IT – ES – FR] This vote signals a troubling political shift within the Parliament, enabling the emergence of new majorities … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE calls on the EU to take a leading international role in implementing a universal ban on surrogacy

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) took part in the event “Surrogacy: An Ethical and Political Challenge for Europe”, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. COMECE has called on EU institutions to “take a leading role internationally in implementing a total and universal ban on surrogacy.” COMECE was represented by José Luis Bazán, Adviser … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

Artificial Intelligence and the fight against human trafficking: opportunities and challenges discussed at the European Parliament

Together with the Santa Marta Group, COMECE organised the conference “Artificial Intelligence and Human Trafficking: Threats, Tools, and Legal Frontiers”, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, 30 September 2025. The event was hosted by MEP Javier Zarzalejos (EPP, Spain). The conference examined how human trafficking is increasingly driven by technology, with perpetrators exploiting social media algorithms, encrypted messaging platforms, deepfakes, and virtual … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Event

EVENT | “AI and Human Trafficking: threats, tools and legal frontiers” – Conference at the European Parliament, 30 September. Registration now open

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) warmly invites you to attend the conference “AI & Human Trafficking: Threats, Tools, and Legal Frontiers”, to be held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00. Participation is open to the public. Registration is required Human trafficking is becoming an increasingly technology-enabled crime. Perpetrators exploit social … Continue reading »