PROCHILD Discussion paper Unaccompanied and separated minors in return process
PROCHILD Discussion paper Unaccompanied and separated minors in return process

Author(s): Miroslava Jelačić Kojić
Subject(s): Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Criminology, Victimology, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields, Administrative Law
Published by: Grupa 484
Keywords: minors; return procedures; child protection; migration policy;
Summary/Abstract: Regardless of whether it is about tens, hundreds or thousands of people arriving to the territory of a country, protection and treatment of unaccompanied and separated minors draw special attention and interest. Their position, protection modalities and available services have been subjects of the debates taking place not only within the international community, universal and regional systems, but also at national levels. In the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia, for many years the issue of their position occupied the attention of only a small number of experts, while the occurrence of migrant-refugee crisis has actively involved greater number of actors in providing care and reflections on the legislation that would regulate their treatment and available services. Key issues in 2015 included satisfaction of basic human needs, identification, ensuring safe transit to the desired destination countries and minimising the risk of various types of abuse. In 2016, after the change of policies and the ‘political climate’ regarding refugees and migrants, the discussion on the protection modalities was directed more towards the status-related issues, the institution of guardian protection, foster care, education, but also integration as one of the mechanisms of durable solutions. Opening the issue of durable solution also necessarily involves consideration of the possibilities for implementation of return procedure.

• Details
• Contents