Unaccompanied minors - a European situational picture

Berndt KoernerConsolidation of the Law Enforcement Capacities in Albania

Expert on Integrated Border ManagementPAMECA IV

Bulevardi Bajram CurriDrejtoria e Pergjithshme e Policise, Kati I

Tel: +355 696050863berndtkoerner@pameca.org.al

„Unaccompanied minors (UAMs)“

The term „unaccompanied minors (UAMs)“refers• to non-EU country nationals or stateless persons, who • are below the age of eighteen and who • arrive in an EU Member State unaccompanied by a responsible adult

or are left unaccompanied after having entered in an EU Member State.

Statistics I

2013: 12.690 asylum applications of UAMs across the 28 EU-MS• 3.850 SWE• 2.485 DE• 1.175 UK• 935 AT• 805 IT

majority Afghanistan, sharp increase in Somalia, Eritrea, SyriaMajority boys above 14 (reports on girls rising sharply)

Statistics II

2013: from figures made available by EU-MS percentage of UAMs NOT applying for asylum is much higher

• 8.461 IT• 2.165 ES• In BE number of non-applicants 3x higher

Asylum requests from Albanian UAMs:• 2010: 55• 2011: 170• 2012: 345• 2013: 535

Responses of the EU• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the

Council – AP on Unaccompanied Minors 2010 – 2014 (5/2010)• Council conclusions on UAMs (June 2010)• Report of COM on the implementaiton of the AP (mid 2012)• European Parliament (Griesbeck Report; September 2013) calling on

strengthened MS efforts• Compilation of legislation regarding UAMs in different MS (under preparation)• Report to EP and Council about the implementation of the AP (foreseen for

2015)\

(+ Cooperation with EASO, studies by the EMN, funding - also new AMIF)

Outlook I

Main challenges/future objectives include:• Data collection: improvement of available data on UAMs, broken down by

age, sex, countries of origin and migration status, number of residence permits issued and returned minors.

• Proper reception conditions in Member States (avoiding detention of minors) and catering for integration measures.

• Harmonisation of practices regarding guardianship and legal representation• Strengthened cooperation with origin countries for family tracing, prevention

of unsafe departure and trafficking on UAM. • Identification of durable solutions and improved practices regarding the

transition to adulthood.

Outlook II

Main challenges/future objectives furthermore include:• Information exchange and analysis

(Prioritise use of missing persons alerts in the SIS for cases of absconding or disappearance form care; quality of guardianship to ensure best care of interest of the child)

• Prevention of unsafe migration and trafficking(intensive cooperation country of origin – transit – destination; targeted awareness-raising aimed at wider public; involvement of diasporas; further development of child-protection systems)

• Return and Reintegration (voluntary return, pre-notification; partnership-solutions between EU-MS and countries of origin in funding educational and training activities)

Magistratsabteilung 11

Vortragender : Norbert Ceipek

The Vienna Center for victims of child-traffic

„Drehscheibe“