UNHCR alarmed by detention of unaccompanied children in Lesvos, Greece
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Earlier this week UNHCR staff visited the detention centre at Pagani on the Greek Island of Lesvos. They were shocked at the conditions in the facility, where more than 850 people are held, including 200 unaccompanied children, mostly from Afghanistan.
The centre has a capacity of 250-300 people. The UNHCR staff described the condition of the centre as unacceptable. One room houses over 150 women and 50 babies, many suffering from illness related to the cramped and unsanitary conditions of the centre.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Solidarity has given UNHCR his assurances that all the unaccompanied children at Pagani will be transferred to special reception facilities by the end of the month. The Ministry has already taken some measures to that effect.
The situation in Pagani is indicative of broader problems relating to irregular migration and Greece's asylum system. Last year, UNHCR, with the support of the Greek Ministry of Interior, presented recommendations for a complete overhaul of the asylum system, including specific measures to protect asylum-seeking children. To date, these proposals have not been implemented.
In 2008, the Greek Coast Guard reported the arrival of 2,648 unaccompanied children, but many more are believed to have entered the country undetected. Greece has no process for assessing the individual needs and best interests of these children. While the government has made efforts to increase the number of places for children at specialized, open centres, arrivals outstrip these efforts and children remain in detention for long periods.
UNHCR is participating in an EU funded project that aims to improve reception facilities on the islands of Samos, Chios and Lesvos and at the Evros land border.
Related news and stories
Ukrainian refugees relieve stress with a support dog named Noir
A safe space for Ukraine's refugees in Romania
UNHCR, UNICEF establish dozens of support hubs in countries hosting Ukrainian refugees
'I have seen first-hand how children's education has suffered'
Sir Lewis Hamilton backs UNHCR's campaign on refugee education
Sudanese refugees in Chad face challenges to deliver education
-
Kate's Story
21 Jul 2022 -
Rohingya and Bangladeshi teachers pair up to tackle education hurdles in camps
20 Jul 2022 Teaching together creates understanding between Rohingya refugees and local Bangladeshis. -
Directrices relativas a modalidades de vida independiente supervisada para niños, niñas y adolescentes no acompañados
20 Jul 2022 Esta directriz busca ayudar al personal del ACNUR y sus socios que trabajan en la protección de la niñez y guiarlos en la evaluación y toma de decisiones sobre el cuidado alternativo más apropiado, el establecimiento y apoyo de arreglos de vivienda independiente supervisados, y el monitoreo y seguimiento de los niños no acompañados. -
Shah fulfills his dream of teaching
19 Jul 2022 -
Transforming our understanding of refugee teachers and teaching in contexts of forced displacement
19 Jul 2022 Transforming Education Pre-Summit Side Meeting, Paris, June 30th, 2022 - Meeting Outcomes and Recommendations -
First UNHCR repatriation convoy since 2020 leaves Angola for DR Congo
19 Jul 2022 -
ES/2022/03 Evaluation Of UNHCR's Response to the 2019/20 Level 3 IDP Emergency In The Democratic Republic Of Congo
19 Jul 2022 The evaluation sets out to assess UNHCR's emergency response to the L3 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) emergency in the DRC from November 2019 to November 2020, in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, for accountability and learning purposes. Attachments: Evaluation Brief (.pdf) -
UNHCR's Grandi meets refugees and displaced people in Chad, appeals for greater international support
16 Jul 2022 -
UNHCR's Grandi urges more support as Chad confronts multiple crises
16 Jul 2022 With nearly 600,000 refugees and 400,000 internally displaced people, Chad remains a major host country despite facing its own socio-economic, political and security challenges.