7
December
2010

Separated, asylum-seeking children in European Union Member States - Summary

The arrival of thousands of separated children in the European Union from third countries poses a serious challenge to EU institutions and Member States, since, according to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, they have a duty to care for and protect children. This summary highlights the key findings of the FRA research on separated, asylum-seeking children in EU Member States.

The summary examines the experiences and views of 336 separated, asylum-seeking children and those of 302 adults responsible for their care across 12 EU Member States. It looks at their living conditions as well as the legal issues and procedures which concern them. 

The different findings correspond to the various settings in which these children live, thereby addressing the need to incorporate children’s views and experiences into work that seeks to inform policy action. The challenge for the EU and its Member States is how to deal with this issue effectively, while fully respecting fundamental rights and acting in the best interests of each child.