A/HRC/14/30/Add.2 B. Sharing the responsibility of protecting persons in urgent need of international protection 73. The Special Rapporteur commends the establishment of the Evacuation Transit Centre in Timisoara in 2008 as a result of an agreement between the Government of Romania, UNHCR and IOM. This multilateral initiative aims at providing temporary accommodation in Romania for up to 200 persons in urgent need of international protection as defined in the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol of 1967, for a maximum period of six months. In exceptional circumstances, this period may be prolonged to facilitate the rapid evacuation of refugees from first countries of asylum to Romania in view of preparing their onward resettlement to a third country. This practice sets an important precedent for the region, as this centre is the first of its kind in Europe. 74. By highlighting this practice, the Special Rapporteur wishes to encourage similar cooperation agreements concerning other groups in need of protection such as victims of trafficking in persons, especially when reasonable grounds suggest that repatriation of trafficked victims would pose a serious risk to their or their families’ safety. C. Enhancing cooperation with emigrants 75. The Special Rapporteur praises the institutionalization of the cooperation with diaspora communities, through the establishment of a Department for Romanians Living Abroad under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He welcomes efforts to provide assistance and information to prospective migrants and commends the inclusion of the Romanian scientific diaspora in the National Strategy for Research, Development and Innovation (2007–2013) and the adoption of measures to support those Romanians abroad who want to return to finish studies in Romania (Emergency Ordinance No. 10/13 of 2008). D. Partnering with stakeholders to implement a rights-based approach to border control and monitoring 76. The Special Rapporteur appreciates cooperation between the Romanian Government and various stakeholders in order to implement a rights-based approach to border control and monitoring. Such is the case of the Memorandum of Understanding on border monitoring activities between the General Inspectorate of Border Police, UNHCR and the Romanian National Council for Refugees, signed in 2008, as a formalization of cooperation undertaken since 2001. The parties concerned have access to border areas to conduct monitoring missions and training sessions, inter alia, on the principle of non-refoulement and on access, legal and procedural safeguards in the refugee status determination procedure. E. Broadening people’s opportunities in the context of abusive forms of migration 77. The Special Rapporteur notes with appreciation the work carry out by NGOs for the assistance of victims of trafficking in persons, including the establishment of “safe houses” where victims are accommodated and supported through a number of services. These include psychological assistance, legal counselling, health-care access and the opportunity to complete education, shape their competencies and/or develop new skills with a view to finding employment so as to prevent them re-entering in the trafficking cycle. GE.10-12102 15