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Refugee and migrant children must be treated as children first, says UNICEF

SKOPJE, 27 October 2016 – Speaking at the OSCE Regional Conference “Promoting Synergies and Common Approaches in Addressing Human Trafficking along the Western Balkan Migration Route”, UNICEF Representative, Dr. Bertrand Desmoulins called for more long-term solutions to protect refugee and migrant children – including unaccompanied and separated children who are among the most vulnerable.

“Hundreds of unaccompanied children are still on the move through Southeast Europe despite border closure,” said Dr. Desmoulins. “While on move, children are often exploited by smuggling and trafficking networks. They are exposed to risk of deprivation, violence and abuse. Children are too often denied protection, supportive family environment, education, health and appropriate nutrition.”

In his address, Dr. Desmoulins, reinforced UNICEF’s calls on Europe and the rest of the international community to focus on six specific actions to protect displaced, refugee and migrant children and provide them with hope for the future:

  • Protect child refugees and migrants, particularly unaccompanied children, from exploitation and violence.
  • End the detention of children seeking refugee status or migrating by introducing a range of practical alternatives.
  • Keep families together as the best way to protect children and give children legal status.
  • Keep refugee and migrant children learning and giving them access to health and other quality services, including education.
  • Press for action on the underlying causes of large-scale movements of refugees and migrants.
  • Promote measures to combat xenophobia, discrimination and marginalization.

The regional conference was organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the National Anti-Trafficking Commission, with the support of OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. During the conference, participants shared information, existing frameworks and tools, experiences, good practices and lessons learned to help strengthen approaches and build synergies in responding to migration-related human trafficking.

For more information, please contact: Suzie Pappas Capovska, UNICEF Skopje (02) 3231-244, 072 236 725 or spappas@unicef.org or Irina Ivanovska (02) 3231-172, 072 236 722 or iivanovska@unicef.org