UNICEF briefing on refugee and migrant children
UNICEF has released a new Child Alert briefing “Danger every step of the way. A harrowing journey to Europe for refugee and migrant children”, which describes the journey that thousands of children are making in the hope of finding safety or a better life in Europe. The report includes some useful statistics, personal testimonies and what UNICEF is doing. The report goes on to highlight UNICEF’s seven point plan for refugee and migrant children.
1. Children must be protected against trafficking and exploitation.
2. Under no circumstances should children be locked up just because they are refugees or migrants.
3. Children must not be sent back to their home countries if they face harm or death.
4. Children must be given access to services such as health and education.
5. Unaccompanied or separated children must be kept safe. Family reunification is often the best way to do this.
6. The best interests of the child should be a primary consideration in any decision concerning that child.
7. Safe and sustainable legal global pathways for migration must be established.
The report also stresses that there is strong evidence that the migration crisis has been exploited by criminal human trafficking networks to target the most vulnerable, in particular women and children.
Read the briefing here.
Tags: Europe