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
-
Municipalities Toolkit - Printable Handbooks
-
WHAT IS ASYLUM?
25 May 2022 -
WHO IS SEEKING ASYLUM?
25 May 2022 -
Municipalities Toolkit - Flyers
-
UNHCR's Grandi urges redoubled support for Rohingya refugees, host communities in Bangladesh
25 May 2022 -
WHAT IS THE RIGHT TO SEEK ASYLUM?
25 May 2022 -
WHOS RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS?
25 May 2022 -
ES/2022/02 Longitudinal evaluation of the Implementation of UNHCR's Age, Gender and Diversity policy Year 1 Report
24 May 2022 This report is part of a three-year formative evaluation commissioned by UNHCR's Evaluation Service to assess and support the implementation of the 2018 Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) policy. Attachments: Evaluation Brief – Year 1 Report (.pdf) -
Priorities in follow up to the Global Roundtable on Protection and Solutions for LGBTIQ+ People in Forced Displacement
23 May 2022 This document sets out the three areas UNHCR is taking priority action to implement based on the key recommendations identified by the participants of the Global Roundtable on Protection and Solutions for LGBTIQ+ people in forced displacement (Jun 2021).