Making proposed EU measures concerning migrant children at the EU external border more child-centred and child-sensitive

Today Child Circle and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Europe publish a Briefing Paper with key recommendations on making proposed EU measures concerning migrant children at the EU external border more child-centred and child-sensitive.

In light of the recent EU Migration and Asylum Pact and its accompanying proposals for mandatory EU border procedures, the paper reviews closely the issues that arise for children at EU borders, identifies challenges which need to be considered more closely, and shares detailed recommendations for screening and border measures.

In particular, we recommend that the proposed EU screening procedure should be remodeled, to serve primarily as a triage stage in an enhanced case management approach, in particular to identify and to refer persons in vulnerable situations away from the border.

The screening procedure must be explicitly shaped and guided by the best interests principle, in particular through ensuring the situation of each child, whether unaccompanied or travelling with family members or adults, is assessed during the vulnerability screening in order to make the appropriate referrals away from the border.  

Specific safeguards for children must be in place throughout the screening process. These should address the provision of information, independent support and assistance to children, identifying whether an individual is a child, identifying whether a child is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or customary caregiver, undertaking health checks and identification of medical risks, identifying additional vulnerabilities, identification and referral of suspected child victims of trafficking, identification of risks to national security and public order, the debriefing process and prohibition of detention and deprivation of liberty.

Achieving transparency and accountability for procedures at the border will be vital to avoid violations of the rights of persons at the border, whether arising as a result of deliberate actions or arising from omissions, such as failure to put in place adequate resources. The proposed monitoring mechanisms need to be designed so as to take account of the specific needs of children as well as the safeguards and supports that should be in place for them.