Focus: Children

France Terre d'Asile and its partners have published a new study on the "Right to Asylum for Unaccompanied Minors in the European Union." Here's part of the Introduction:

"At the time the European Union States committed to establishing a Common European Asylum System (CEAS), the adaptation of procedures and practices for unaccompanied children seeking asylum remains an important issue. In fact, this particularly vulnerable population needs standards adapted to its specific situation. Issues such as legal guardianship, support during the procedure or conditions of interview are crucial for an effective protection of these children. In this context, this study aims to analyze legislation and practices in all the 27 EU countries, in order to identify good practices, gaps and ways to improve the implementation of the right to asylum for unaccompanied children within the European Union."

Currently, the report is only available in English, but will also be made available in French.  There are also summaries in French and in English; six other language versions will soon follow and will be posted at the link above.

Other resources:

Animated Stories of Child Refugees (Refugee Council UK, Sept. 2012) [access]

Child Safeguarding in Cash Transfer Programming: A Practical Tool (Save the Children, Sept. 2012) [text via ReliefWeb]

Educational Integration of Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Children: The Situation in Bulgaria and the Experience of Other European Countries (Center for the Study of Democracy, June 2012) [text]

"Medical, Statistical, Ethical and Human Rights Considerations in the Assessment of Age in Children and Young People Subject to Immigration Control," British Medical Bulletin, vol. 102, no. 1 (June 2012) [text via NCADC]

Protection Interviews with Refugee Children (Humanitarian Innovation Fund, Sept. 2012) [text]

State Sanctioned Child Poverty and Exclusion: The Case of Children in State Accommodation for Asylum Seekers (Irish Refugee Council, Sept. 2012) [text]
- See also related press release.

Upcoming events:

CRC Day of General Discussion: The Rights of all Children in the Context of International Migration, Geneva, 28 September 2012 [info]
- Follow link for programme, background paper, and external submissions.

Separated Children & Young People in the Asylum System, London, 10 October 2012 [info]
- Registration continues for this event hosted by the Refugee Council UK.


Tagged Publications and Events & Opportunities.