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
-
What I learned from a refugee camp in West Africa
16 Dec 2020 My family fled civil war in Liberia to a refugee camp in Guinea in West Africa. I learned the power of resilience and the value of diversity. -
Statement Latter-day Saint Charities
16 Dec 2020 -
Standard Operating Procedures
UNHCR's Toolkit for developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures for BIP. The toolkit includes guidance, templates, workshop guide, and examples from the field. -
Growing needs for thousands of displaced Ethiopians in Sudan
16 Dec 2020 As families reunite, their greatest needs are food, water, shelter and sanitation. All long for peace so they can return home. -
Statement Women's Refugee Commission
16 Dec 2020 -
Forms
Forms for implementing BIP. This folder includes both internal BIP forms (e.g. BIA form and BID forms) as well as forms developed by the Case Management Task Force of the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action for implementation of child protection case management. -
My face, their stories: Testimonials
-
Powerpoint Presentation. Fourth informal briefing
15 Dec 2020 -
UNHCR and IOM saddened at deaths of refugees and migrants in shipwreck off Venezuela coast
15 Dec 2020