Asylum

Schutz von Kindern

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Highlights

  • Report / Paper / Summary
    31
    Januar
    2024

    Mapping Child Protection Systems in the EU – Update 2023

    Children’s rights exist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child. Improved child protection systems ensure that these rights are met. In recent years, the EU has taken significant steps to improve child protection systems. This mapping of child protection systems gives an overview of the state of such systems at national level and developments since 2015. It promotes the improvement of integrated child protection systems. It is an update of FRA’s mapping of child protection systems in 2015, based on data collected in 2023 in the 27 EU Member States. By publishing this, FRA aims to support securing the sustainable well-being, safety and rights of all children living in the EU.
    Access the data explorer
  • Children in migration: fundamental rights at European borders
    Report / Paper / Summary
    18
    Dezember
    2023

    Children in migration: fundamental rights at European borders

    Council of Europe (CoE) and European Union (EU) Member States have an undeniable sovereign right to control the entry of non-nationals into their territory. While carrying out border control, states have a duty to protect fundamental rights of all people under their jurisdiction, regardless of their nationality, status, or age. Children as a category
    of vulnerable persons with special needs require heightened protection.
  • Periodic updates / Series
    29
    September
    2023

    The Russian aggression against Ukraine – Displaced children finding protection in the EU - Bulletin 3

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine posed new challenges for the EU. Millions were forced to flee the war. As a result of the scale of people’s displacement, the EU activated for the first time the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). More than 1.3 million children sought international protection in the EU. This bulletin explores the respect, protection and fulfilment of the fundamental rights of displaced children and ways to safeguard their rights. The third in a series, this bulletin builds on the evidence in FRA’s Bulletin #1 and #2 on the experiences of displaced people seeking safety in the EU.
    Read press release
    Read all Ukraine bulletins
  • Young teenager boy at counseling - talking to the therapy professional, close up
    Handbook / Guide / Manual
    1
    März
    2023

    Guardianship for unaccompanied children - A manual for trainers of guardians

    This manual is designed to help institutions, organisations and individuals to train guardians of unaccompanied children or to deliver ‘train-the-trainers’ courses. It can be used in a range of training contexts, such as professional and academic training, on-the-job training and continuing training. The manual is based on human and fundamental rights principles and ethical standards and recognises that the child and the guardian have their own personal stories, resources and capacities. It enhances guardians’ confidence to promote the child’s rights and best interests. It also enhances their confidence to act independently and impartially in relation to different state
    officials, service providers and other community members.
    Access the online course
Produkte
Practical tool for guardians: transnational procedures in the framework of international protection
Periodic updates / Series
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
17
April
2024

Practical Tool for Guardians - Transnational procedures in the framework of international protection

This booklet is intended to support guardians assigned to children in the asylum procedure. It covers the technical aspects of the legal procedures related to the cross-border movement of such children. This booklet covers only procedures related to international protection. It is part of a series of four practical tools for guardians of unaccompanied children with international protection needs. The objective is to support guardians in their daily tasks and responsibilities during the asylum procedure, including the procedure under the Dublin III regulation and temporary protection. The tools have been developed by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and FRA.
Read news item
MDX Dataset
Children, youth and older people
Child protection
31 January 2024

Mapping child protection systems in the EU

The data cover the key components of national child protection systems. This includes information on national law and policies, as well as the structures, actors, resources, functions and monitoring of national child protection systems.
Report / Paper / Summary
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
31
Januar
2024

Mapping Child Protection Systems in the EU – Update 2023

Children’s rights exist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child. Improved child protection systems ensure that these rights are met. In recent years, the EU has taken significant steps to improve child protection systems. This mapping of child protection systems gives an overview of the state of such systems at national level and developments since 2015. It promotes the improvement of integrated child protection systems. It is an update of FRA’s mapping of child protection systems in 2015, based on data collected in 2023 in the 27 EU Member States. By publishing this, FRA aims to support securing the sustainable well-being, safety and rights of all children living in the EU.
Access the data explorer
Children in migration: fundamental rights at European borders
Report / Paper / Summary
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Borders and information systems
Irregular migration, return and immigration detention
18
Dezember
2023

Children in migration: fundamental rights at European borders

Council of Europe (CoE) and European Union (EU) Member States have an undeniable sovereign right to control the entry of non-nationals into their territory. While carrying out border control, states have a duty to protect fundamental rights of all people under their jurisdiction, regardless of their nationality, status, or age. Children as a category
of vulnerable persons with special needs require heightened protection.
Periodic updates / Series
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Access to asylum
12
Oktober
2023

Practical Tool for Guardians — Introduction to international protection

This tool introduces newly appointed guardians to the concept of international protection, possible forms of protection recognised through the asylum procedure, the relevant legal framework and the related rights of the child. It is part of a series of four practical tools for guardians of unaccompanied children with international protection needs. The objective is to support guardians in their daily tasks and responsibilities during the asylum procedure, including the procedure under the Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III regulation) and temporary protection. The tools have been developed by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
Periodic updates / Series
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
12
Oktober
2023

Practical Tool for Guardians — The asylum procedure

This booklet aims to support guardians assigned to children in the asylum procedure. It includes an overview of the asylum procedure with a specific focus on children, the guarantees in the asylum procedure and your role as a guardian in the different phases of the asylum process. There is also a section on what to do if something unexpected may happen, or if the age of the applicant is disputed. It is part of a series of four practical tools for guardians of unaccompanied children with international protection needs. The objective is to support guardians in their daily tasks and responsibilities during the asylum procedure, including the procedure under the Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III regulation) and temporary protection. The tools have been developed by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
Access all practical tools
Periodic updates / Series
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Access to asylum
Trafficking and labour exploitation
29
September
2023

The Russian aggression against Ukraine – Displaced children finding protection in the EU - Bulletin 3

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine posed new challenges for the EU. Millions were forced to flee the war. As a result of the scale of people’s displacement, the EU activated for the first time the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). More than 1.3 million children sought international protection in the EU. This bulletin explores the respect, protection and fulfilment of the fundamental rights of displaced children and ways to safeguard their rights. The third in a series, this bulletin builds on the evidence in FRA’s Bulletin #1 and #2 on the experiences of displaced people seeking safety in the EU.
Read press release
Read all Ukraine bulletins
Young teenager boy at counseling - talking to the therapy professional, close up
Handbook / Guide / Manual
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Children, youth and older people
1
März
2023

Guardianship for unaccompanied children - A manual for trainers of guardians

This manual is designed to help institutions, organisations and individuals to train guardians of unaccompanied children or to deliver ‘train-the-trainers’ courses. It can be used in a range of training contexts, such as professional and academic training, on-the-job training and continuing training. The manual is based on human and fundamental rights principles and ethical standards and recognises that the child and the guardian have their own personal stories, resources and capacities. It enhances guardians’ confidence to promote the child’s rights and best interests. It also enhances their confidence to act independently and impartially in relation to different state
officials, service providers and other community members.
Access the online course
People in Ukrainin colours fleeing war with Russia in search of rights and freedom
Report / Paper / Summary
Asylum, migration and borders
Access to asylum
Child protection
Legal migration and integration
Trafficking and labour exploitation
28
Februar
2023

Fleeing Ukraine: Displaced people’s experiences in the EU

Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine triggered scenes not seen in Europe for decades. It has since caused death, immense destruction, and unspeakable suffering. It also set in motion a mass movement of people not seen since World War II. To protect them, the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time. In doing so, all EU Member States must offer protection to those displaced from Ukraine.
Download report on employment barriers
Download bulletins on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Read press release
Cover of Practical Tool for Guardians - Temporary protection for unaccompanied children fleeing Ukraine
Periodic updates / Series
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Irregular migration, return and immigration detention
24
November
2022

Practical Tool for Guardians - Temporary protection for unaccompanied children fleeing Ukraine

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) joined forces to create this tool focusing on temporary protection for unaccompanied children fleeing Ukraine.
People demonstrating with Stand with Ukraine banner
Periodic updates / Series
Asylum, migration and borders
Access to asylum
Child protection
Trafficking and labour exploitation
21
Oktober
2022

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine ― The broad fundamental rights impact in the EU - Bulletin 2

The Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered solidarity from EU governments, local authorities and society as they welcomed more than 7 million people fleeing the aggression. The European Union’s rapid response, activating the EU Temporary Protection Directive, offered welcome relief and much-needed support to those in need. It allowed displaced persons the opportunity to quickly settle and to work, travel and access services across the EU. But other pressing human rights issues have come to the fore and remain high on the EU’s agenda, such as human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, hate crime and hate-fuelled disinformation.
Download bulletin 1
Download findings of survey on displaced people from Ukraine
Read news item
Children fleeing Ukraine
Video
Asylum, migration and borders
Child protection

Children fleeing Ukraine – fundamental rights challenges

While many volunteers, organisations and EU countries provide help to the many children fleeing Ukraine, challenges and concerns need to be addressed: such as registration and interpretation, guardianship for unaccompanied children, access to education and childcare.
Ukraine bulletin 1 cover
Periodic updates / Series
Asylum, migration and borders
Access to asylum
Borders and information systems
Child protection
Legal migration and integration
19
Mai
2022

The war in Ukraine - Fundamental rights implications within the EU - Bulletin 1

This bulletin looks at the fundamental rights situation of all persons fleeing the Russian war in Ukraine to the four EU Member States neighbouring Ukraine. This is primarily in terms of the application of the EU Temporary Protection Directive. It is based on findings of FRA’s field mission to Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia at the beginning of March 2022. It is also based on weekly country reports prepared by Franet, the contracted research network of FRA between 1 March and 27 April 2022.
Download findings of survey on displaced people from Ukraine
Download bulletin 2
Read news item
The hammer of a judge with abstract figures of children
gesrey © adobestock.com, 2022
Handbook / Guide / Manual
Kinder, Jugendliche und ältere Menschen
Asyl, Migration und Grenzen
Schutz von Kindern
Datenschutz, Privatsphäre und neue Technologien
Gleichheit, Nichtdiskriminierung und Rassismus
Justiz, Opferrechte und justizielle Zusammenarbeit
7
April
2022
French and Italian versions now available
19 December 2023

Handbuch zu den europarechtlichen Grundlagen im Bereich der Rechte des Kindes — Ausgabe 2022

Kinder sind eigenständige Inhaberinnen und Inhaber von Menschenrechten. Sie genießen sämtliche Menschen- und Grundrechte, und aufgrund ihrer spezifischen Merkmale gelten für sie auch besondere Bestimmungen. Dieses Handbuch soll veranschaulichen, inwiefern die spezifischen Interessen und Bedürfnisse von Kindern im Europarecht und in der europäischen Rechtsprechung berücksichtigt werden. Es verdeutlicht zudem die wichtige Rolle von Eltern, Vormunden und sonstigen gesetzlichen Vertreterinnen und Vertretern und verweist gegebenenfalls auf Situationen, in denen die Rechte und Pflichten überwiegend den Betreuerinnen und Betreuern von Kindern zugewiesen werden. Dieses Handbuch soll zu einem stärkeren Bewusstsein für die Rechtsnormen zum Schutz und zur Förderung der Kinderrechte in Europa beitragen und die Kenntnisse darüber verbessern. Es dient als Referenzwerk sowohl für das Recht der Europäischen Union (EU) als auch für die Abkommen des Europarates in diesen Bereichen und enthält jeweils Erläuterungen zur Regelung der einzelnen Aspekte im EU-Recht, einschließlich der Charta der Grundrechte der Europäischen Union, sowie der Europäischen Menschenrechtskonvention (EMRK), der Europäischen Sozialcharta (ESC) und sonstiger Instrumente des Europarates.
Read news item
Report / Paper / Summary
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Children, youth and older people
15
Februar
2022

Guardianship systems for unaccompanied children in the European Union: developments since 2014

In 2015 and 2016, the numbers of unaccompanied children arriving in Europe increased dramatically, straining national guardianship systems. This report looks at how EU Member States, as well as North Macedonia and Serbia, have adapted their guardianship systems for unaccompanied children since that time.
Read press release
Report / Paper / Summary
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
9
Dezember
2021

Unaccompanied children outside the child protection system – Case study: Pakistani children in Greece

This report sheds light on the realities faced by unaccompanied migrant children who are not in the care of child protection systems in the EU. Presented as a case study, it tells the story of children and young adults from Pakistan who travelled alone to the EU without their parents or other adults.
Read news item
Country sheets
Access to asylum
Asylum, migration and borders
Child protection
Legal migration and integration
20
Oktober
2020

Integrating young refugees in the EU - Country information

The EU Fundamental Rights Agency published in 2019 its report on the ‘Integration of young refugees in the EU’. The report explored the challenges of young people who fled armed conflict or persecution and arrived in the EU in 2015 and 2016. The report is based on 426 interviews with experts working in the area of asylum and integration, as well as 163 interviews with young people, aged 16 to 24, conducted between October 2017 and June 2018 in 15 regions and cities located in six Member States: Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Sweden. The links on this page provide a summary of the information collected during this period for each country about unaccompanied children turning 18 and the change in people’s legal status once international protection is granted. These two issues had at the time been identified as moments requiring sufficient, consistent and systematic support, particularly from lawyers, social workers and guardians, to ensure successful integration.
Graffiti/shadow on a brickwall showing a refugee girl walking with her suitcase
Report / Paper / Summary
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
11
Mai
2020

Relocating unaccompanied children: applying good practices to future schemes

In recent years, thousands of girls and boys have reached Europe without their parents, and sought international protection. Many of them experienced violence, abuse and neglect in their home countries, and while in transit. They have the right to be protected in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the European Convention on Human Rights, and European Union law. This report explores the challenges and good practices gathered in the implementation of such relocation programmes. Based on information FRA collected in 10 EU Member States, it aims to help national authorities to support the relocation of unaccompanied children by taking measures that are fully rights compliant and practically feasible.
View practical guidance infographic
Infografik
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

Practical guidance for protecting unaccompanied children in the relocation process

Based on the lessons learned from relocation
experiences and on existing international and EU legal
standards, FRA has developed a number of practical
suggestions for the adjustment of relocation efforts to
the protection needs of unaccompanied children. This
guidance aims to be a practical tool for Member States
that wish to engage in the relocation of unaccompanied
children and in any future responsibility-sharing
mechanisms, and to gain knowledge on how this can
be done while respecting the child’s best interests.
Children holding hands
Periodic updates / Series
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
30
März
2020

Children in migration in 2019

Children in migration are more vulnerable than adults, particularly when they are unaccompanied. Their vulnerability makes them more exposed to violence, exploitation and trafficking in human beings, as well as physical, psychological and sexual abuse. This report looks into challenges to the fundamental rights of children in migration throughout 2019. It pulls together the main issues identified in FRA’s Quarterly Bulletins on migration in selected EU Member States.
Access all quarterly updates
Download all updates