Catalogue
Newsletter
Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe (2017-2019) (2017)
Refugee and migrant children should be treated first and foremost as children.
The mass arrivals of those seeking refuge in Europe from war and persecution, as well as the continuing movement of persons across the Mediterranean and Turkey, act as a constant reminder of the precarious situation refugee and migrant children find themselves in; as well as the humanrights violations they are confronted with. All Council of Europe member States are affected by the refugee/migration flows, either directly or indirectly, as countries of origin, transit, destination or resettlement.
The Action Plan is based on a clear principle: in the context of migration, children should be treated first and foremost as children.
INTRODUCTION
ENSURING ACCESS TO RIGHTS AND CHILD-FRIENDLY PROCEDURES
To ensure access to information and to child-friendly procedures
To ensure that every child has a nationality
PROVIDING EFFECTIVE PROTECTION
To establish an effective guardianship system in each member state
To ensure appropriate shelter for children and their families during emergencies and mass arrivals
To assist children and families in restoring family links and reunification, in accordance with existing norms
To avoid resorting to the deprivation of liberty of children on the sole ground of their migration status
To ensure that children are protected from violence, including trafficking and sexual exploitation
ENHANCING THE INTEGRATION OF CHILDREN WHO WOULD REMAIN IN EUROPE
To ensure that refugee and migrant children are provided with education
To provide opportunities for refugee and migrant children to participate in society
IMPLEMENTATION
Refugee and migrant children should be treated first and foremost as children.
The mass arrivals of those seeking refuge in Europe from war and persecution, as well as the continuing movement of persons across the Mediterranean and Turkey, act as a constant reminder of the precarious situation refugee and migrant children find themselves in; as well as the humanrights violations they are confronted with. All Council of Europe member States are affected by the refugee/migration flows, either directly or indirectly, as countries of origin, transit, destination or resettlement.
The Action Plan is based on a clear principle: in the context of migration, children should be treated first and foremost as children.