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
-
UNHCR welcomes the life-saving disembarkation of 300 Rohingya refugees in Indonesia
7 Sep 2020 News Comment by UNHCR Director for Asia and the Pacific, Indrika Ratwatte -
ICS, UNHCR and IOM call on States to end humanitarian crisis onboard ship in the Mediterranean
7 Sep 2020 -
Resurging violence could spark mass displacement in DRC's Kasai, UNHCR warns
4 Sep 2020 -
Côte d'Ivoire adopts Africa's first legal process to identify and protect stateless people
4 Sep 2020 -
UN Common Cash Statement Questions & Answers
4 Sep 2020 -
UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioners visit Greece, discuss refugee protection challenges and urge more support
4 Sep 2020 -
Coronavirus a dire threat to refugee education
3 Sep 2020 UNHCR report calls for action to support millions of young refugees living in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. -
UNHCR Report: Coronavirus a dire threat to refugee education - half of the world's refugee children out of school.
3 Sep 2020 -
Mo Salah calls for team effort to ensure disadvantaged children receive education
3 Sep 2020 UNHCR warns COVID-19 a dire threat hopes of young refugees