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
-
Path Out #VideoGameDay
8 Jul 2022 -
Global evaluation: International COVID-19 response fell short in upholding refugee rights
8 Jul 2022 -
Smart Energy Meters for Refugees' Community Facilities
8 Jul 2022 In line with the UNHCR Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy, UNHCR, with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), launched a pilot project in the Kakuma refugee camp (Kenya) to monitor the energy consumption of diesel generators by installing two energy smart meters. The initiative is part of the Geneva Technical Hub (GTH). -
Identifying Groundwater Potential Mapping, Uganda
8 Jul 2022 The concept of Rapid Groundwater Potential Mapping (RGWPM) was elaborated to support rapid set-up of sustainable water supply and out-phasing from emergency water supply. The objective is to establish a methodology which can be up-scaled and replicated in any refugee context around the world. -
UNHCR video game lets pupils experience a refugee's perilous journey
8 Jul 2022 A Syrian refugee game developer, an award-winning Austrian company and UNHCR teamed up to create game that reveals the life-or-death decisions that refugees face. -
ES/2022/06 Joint Evaluation of the Protection of the Rights of Refugees During the COVID-19 Pandemic
7 Jul 2022 This Joint Evaluation of the Protection of the Fundamental Rights of Refugees during the COVID-19 Pandemic was commissioned under the auspices of the COVID-19 Global Evaluation Coalition. The evaluation examines the effectiveness of international cooperation and the combined response of host states, United Nations (UN) system agencies, and non-governmental and civil society organisations including refugee-led organisations in ensuring the protection of the rights of refugees during the global pandemic. Attachments: Evaluation Brief and Annexes (.zip) -
EvO/2022/10 UNHCR's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Synthesis of evaluative evidence
6 Jul 2022 The synthesis asks three main questions: What was the effect of COVID-19 on persons of concern (PoC) to UNHCR? How did UNHCR adapt its institutional environment to respond to COVID-19? How well has UNHCR responded to the needs of PoC during COVID-19? Attachments: Evaluative Synthesis Brief (.pdf) -
IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF urge European States to end child detention
5 Jul 2022 New recommendations released by the three agencies offer solutions and alternatives to the continued practice of detaining asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children across Europe. -
Safety and dignity for refugee and migrant children: Recommendations for alternatives to detention and appropriate care arrangements in Europe
5 Jul 2022 This advocacy brief was jointly produced by IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF based on a desk review of practices in 38 European States in relation to the detention of asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children, either upon or after arrival, for reasons relating to immigration or asylum. It seeks to put forward and urge for practical alternatives and appropriate care arrangements for children based on existing promising practices in the region.