European Trade Union Committee for Education

The European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has published a number of reports concerning the fundamental rights situation of refugees arriving in EU Member States, looking at their situation in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Sweden. In these reports, FRA has developed a particular focus on child protection, and has identified a number of challenges in six main areas linked to this topic.

Among them, the identification of children at risk and the appointment of adequate guardians for unaccompanied children appear as important aspects that need to be improved in order to ensure children’s fundamental rights. Moreover, reception facilities should be made more suitable for unaccompanied children, as inadequate facilities may expose children to exploitation, violence or abuse. In its statement on Refugees and Education, ETUCE has emphasised the importance of taking care of unaccompanied children who disembark in Europe, and ensuring they are welcome into a safe and caring environment. Delays in registering asylum chains and providing access to international protection is also identified as a major challenge for family reunification, and therefore for family and children’s rights.

To know more about what can be done to better protect the situation of refugee children, click here.