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 chief urges action over conditions for asylum-seekers on Greek island
28 Nov 2019 Filippo Grandi bears witness to conditions at the Moria centre on Lesvos and calls on European states to help Greece address situation -
UNHCR expands help to refugees in urban areas in Libya, reassesses role of Gathering and Departure Facility
28 Nov 2019 -
Head of UNHCR calls for urgent response to overcrowding in Greek island reception centres, Europe to share responsibility
28 Nov 2019 -
UNHCR welcomes Somalia's ratification of the Kampala Convention
27 Nov 2019 -
GRF Pledging Guidance - Checklist for Meaningful, Relevant and Effective Global Refugee Forum Pledges (InterAction)
26 Nov 2019 -
Universities providing scholarships to refugees call on others to do the same
26 Nov 2019 -
Farming together, refugees and their hosts reap benefits
26 Nov 2019 An agriculture initiative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is helping South Sudanese refugees and locals alike become self-reliant. -
Third group of refugees evacuated to Rwanda from Libya with UNHCR support
25 Nov 2019 -
Summary of discussions - Third preparatory meeting
25 Nov 2019