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
-
Handout 4 - Environmental Profile cards
31 May 2022 The handout environmental profile cards provide additional information on environmental factors to be considered while assessing protection concerns for persons with disabilities during the Activity 1 of Module 3 of the Disability Inclusion Facilitator's Guide -
Handout 5 - Protection Concerns cards
31 May 2022 The Handout Protection Concerns includes protection concerns faced by persons with disabilities in forced displacement to be used for the Disability Inclusions Facilitator's Guide's Module 3 Activity 2. -
Handout 6: Agree/Disagree
31 May 2022 The handout for the Disability Inclusion Facilitator's Guide contains four symbols to be utilized during Module 3 Activity 3 on UNHCR's approach on the protection of persons with disabilities. -
Handout 7 - Case Study 1: Maryam
31 May 2022 The handout provides content needed to facilitate Activity 1 on Maryam's Case study during Module 4 of the Disability Inclusion Facilitator's Guide. -
Handout 8 - Case Study 2: Jamir
31 May 2022 The handout provides barrier cards and strategy cards to facilitate Activity 2 Case Study on Jamir's situation during Module 4 of the Disability Inclusion Facilitator's Guide. -
Handout 9 - Twin track gameboard: Jamir
31 May 2022 The twin-track gameboard handout is needed to facilitate Case study 2 on Jamir during Activity 2 of Module 4 of the Disability Inclusion Facilitator's Guide. -
Handout 10 - Overview of strategies to foster disability inclusion
31 May 2022 This handout includes an introduction to key strategies to foster disability inclusion during Module 4 Activity 2 (Disability Inclusion Facilitator's Guide). These strategies are inspired by the principles outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and reflected in UNHCR's policies and guidance introduced in Module 3. -
Handout 11 - Inclusive Budgeting Tip Sheet
31 May 2022 This tip sheet outlines recommendations to design budgets that are inclusive and accountable to persons with disabilities. The recommendations are based on available resources and practice; however, more evidence is required to improve the way budgeting processes become more inclusive. -
Handout 12 - Learning Needs Assessment
31 May 2022 The learning needs assessment is indented to be used during Module 5 Activity 1 of the Disability Inclusion Facilitator's Guide.