ITF drew attention on the problem of refugees at the Council of Europe

On June 25, 2013 Mr Dorijan Maršič, ITF Director participated on the meeting of Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, which took place during the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and presented the work of ITF Enhancing Human Security. Among others, ITF Director raised an issue and drew attention to the problem of refugees and displaced persons as one of the most vulnerable groups, victims of landmines, explosive remnants of war and cluster munitions.

Mr Maršič stressed that according to the latest Landmine monitor Brief Paper only in year 2012, a 1 million people was reported to be forced to leave their homes and flee to countries with a high mine contamination level. These are people who do no longer enjoy support from their country and who are as mine survivors exposed to serious physical and psychological health threats. In addition, countries where they have searched for shelter often do not provide even the most basic health care and legal rights for them. ITF Director presented to the Committee all the efforts and activities driven by ITF in the field of work with this group of affected persons and other ITF activities.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's membership in the Council of Europe, ITF organized an exhibition on its 15 years of performance at the premises of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. As the keynote speakers at the opening ceremony, head of the Delegation of the National Assembly at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Ms Romana Tomc and Director of ITF Mr Dorijan Maršič addressed the audience.