The UNHCR Guidelines aim to define the principles and practical measures for the protection and assistance of refugee children. UNHCR argues that because detention can be very harmful to refugee children, it must be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time. The same principle applies to alternative accommodation in which children are held under prison-like conditions. Families must be kept together at all times.
Sources Archives: International law
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), A.L. v Spain, Communication 016/2017, Adoption of views, 31 May 2019
On 21/10/2021 in
The Committee recalls that the assessment of the age of a young person who claims to be a minor is of fundamental importance, as the outcome determines whether that person will be entitled to or excluded from national protection as a child. Similarly, the enjoyment of the rights set out in the Convention flows from that determination. It is therefore imperative that there be due process to assess a person’s age, as well as the opportunity to challenge the outcome through an appeals process. While that process is underway, the person should be given the benefit of the doubt and treated as a child. The best interests of the child should be a primary consideration throughout the age determination process.
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), N.B.F. v Spain, Communication 011/2017, Adoption of views, 27 September 2018
On 21/10/2021 in
The Committee recalls that the assessment of the age of a young person who claims to be a minor is of fundamental importance, as the outcome determines whether that person will be entitled to or excluded from national protection as a child. Similarly, the enjoyment of the rights set out in the Convention flows from that determination. It is therefore imperative that there be due process to assess a person’s age, as well as the opportunity to challenge the outcome through an appeals process. While that process is underway, the person should be given the benefit of the doubt and treated as a child. The best interests of the child should be a primary consideration throughout the age determination process.
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), R.K. v Spain, Communication 027/2017, Adoption of views, 18 September 2019
On 21/10/2021 in
The Committee recalls that the assessment of the age of a young person who claims to be a minor is of fundamental importance, as the outcome determines whether that person will be entitled to or excluded from national protection as a child. Similarly, the enjoyment of the rights set out in the Convention flows from that determination. It is therefore imperative that there be due process to assess a person’s age, as well as the opportunity to challenge the outcome through an appeals process. While that process is under way, the person should be given the benefit of the doubt and treated as a child. The best interests of the child should be a primary consideration throughout the age determination process.
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), General comment No. 24 (2019) on children’s rights in the child justice system
On 21/10/2021 in
“This General comment replaces General comment No. 10 (2007) on children’s rights in juvenile justice. The scope of the comment is focused on children alleged as, accused of or recognized as having infringed criminal law.
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 2020 (2014): The alternatives to immigration detention of children
On 21/10/2021 in
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly notes that although the legislation of most member States provides for the introduction of alternatives to detention, the majority of countries are not applying them in practice. The Assembly calls for an end to the detention of migrant children.