UN committee urges EU to include child rights in migration response

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on Friday expressed deep concern at the current migration crisis in Europe, especially the rights and well-being of the children involved.

Ahead of the extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council taking place on Sept. 14 in Brussels, the Committee urged EU ministers to adopt a child rights-based approach when planning, discussing and implementing the measures designed to strengthen the European response.

"The majority of these children have already experienced human rights violations before leaving their countries of origin, and subjecting them to yet more violations within European borders through laws and treatment that are not child-friendly constitutes an additional serious violation of Convention obligations," said Benyam Dawit Mezmur, the chairperson of the committee.

According to the committee, all European states have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the convention obligations apply both in times of stability and crisis.

"Since a response to the current migration crisis needs rights-based, serious, and collaborative efforts, the committee stands ready to engage with all countries in Europe in their efforts to strengthen the protection of the rights of the child in their migration responses," the chairperson noted. Endit