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
-
Side event - With Refugees: Recommendations for the Global Refugee Forum
11 Nov 2019 -
UNHCR and Turkey discuss voluntary repatriation of Syrian refugees
11 Nov 2019 -
Agenda - Workshop on research on the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees (13 November 2019)
10 Nov 2019 -
UNHCR welcomes commitment by Central American states and Mexico to address forced displacement
9 Nov 2019 -
HRH Princess Sarah Zeid
-
60,000 young refugees and migrants who arrived in Italy alone need support as they enter adulthood - UN Agencies
8 Nov 2019 Key challenges include discrimination, difficulty finding work, administrative bottlenecks and lack of legal information -
When parents become separated from their children, a Rohingya refugee steps in
8 Nov 2019 -
His Excellency Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani
-
South Sudanese Refugees and Congolese hosts grow successful vegetable farming business
7 Nov 2019