This factsheet examines case law on cross-border child abduction, meaning the unlawful removal of a child from one EU Member State to another. Jointly published by the European Court of Human Rights and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, it explains how courts handle issues where EU law and human rights law overlap. It highlights key court decisions from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to show how these two legal systems work together on issues of child abduction and prioritising the best interests of the child.

This guidance explains the role of a guardian assigned to a child during the screening and asylum procedure. It provides an overview of the different phases of the process and outlines a child’s legal rights throughout. The guidance includes topics such as lodging an application for international protection, preparing for the application interview and appealing against a negative decision. The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) have developed a series of practical tools for guardians of unaccompanied children with international protection needs.

This guidance is for newly appointed guardians supporting a child who is applying for or has obtained international protection. It explains key terms, such as refugee status and subsidiary protection, as well as the legal framework for children’s rights in this context. The guidance also covers how to ensure the child’s participation and best interests during the asylum procedure. It is part of a series of practical tools developed by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) for guardians of unaccompanied children with international protection needs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Το παρόν εγχειρίδιο έχει σχεδιαστεί με στόχο να συνδράμει φορείς, οργανισμούς και φυσικά πρόσωπα στην εκπαίδευση επιτρόπων ασυνόδευτων παιδιών ή στην εκπαίδευση εκπαιδευτών. Μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί σε διάφορα πλαίσια κατάρτισης, όπως είναι η επαγγελματική και ακαδημαϊκή κατάρτιση, η πρακτική άσκηση και η συνεχής κατάρτιση. Το εγχειρίδιο βασίζεται στις αρχές των ανθρωπίνων και των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων και στα πρότυπα δεοντολογίας, ενώ επίσης αναγνωρίζει ότι το παιδί και ο/η επίτροπος έχουν τις δικές τους προσωπικές ιστορίες, ικανότητες και δεξιότητες. Ενισχύει την αυτοπεποίθηση των επιτρόπων όσον αφορά την προώθηση των δικαιωμάτων και του συμφέροντος του παιδιού. Επιπλέον, τους/τις ενδυναμώνει προκειμένου να ενεργούν ανεξάρτητα και αμερόληπτα απέναντι σε διάφορους κρατικούς υπαλλήλους, παρόχους υπηρεσιών και μέλη της κοινότητας.

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.

Военната агресия на Русия срещу Украйна доведе до сцени, на които Европа не беше ставала свидетел от десетилетия. Оттогава причинява смърт, огромни разрушения и неописуеми страдания. Тя предизвика и масово движение на хора, невиждано от Втората световна война насам. За да ги защити, ЕС за първи път задейства Директивата за временна закрила. По този начин всички държави — членки на ЕС, трябва да предложат закрила на разселените лица от Украйна.

Vojenská agrese Ruska vůči Ukrajině vyvolala scény, které Evropa neviděla po desetiletí. Od té doby přináší smrt, rozsáhlé ničení a nepopsatelné utrpení. V jejím důsledku se rovněž daly do pohybu obrovské masy lidí, největší od druhé světové války. S cílem ochránit tyto uprchlíky EU poprvé aktivovala směrnici o dočasné ochraně. Všechny členské státy EU jsou tudíž povinny poskytnout osobám vysídleným z Ukrajiny ochranu.

Die militärische Aggression Russlands gegen die Ukraine löste Situationen aus, die in Europa seit Jahrzehnten nicht mehr beobachtet wurden. Die Folgen sind zahlreiche Todesopfer, enorme Zerstörung und unsagbares Leid. Zudem wurde eine Massenbewegung von Menschen in Gang gesetzt, wie es sie seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg nicht mehr gab. Um die Vertriebenen zu schützen, hat die EU erstmalig die Richtlinie über vorübergehenden Schutz aktiviert. Demnach müssen alle EU-Mitgliedstaaten den aus der Ukraine vertriebenen Personen Schutz bieten.

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.

La agresión militar de Rusia contra Ucrania provocó escenas que no se vivían en Europa desde hacía décadas. El conflicto ha causado desde entonces muertes, inmensa destrucción y un sufrimiento indecible. También implicó desplazamientos masivos de población a una escala como no se conocía desde la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Venemaa sõjaline agressioon Ukrainasse on põhjustanud olukorra, mida ei ole Euroopas aastakümneid esinenud. See on põhjustanud surma, tohutut hävingut ja kirjeldamatuid kannatusi. See käivitas ka inimeste massilise rände, mille sarnast ei ole toimunud teisest maailmasõjast saadik. Põgenike kaitseks aktiveeris EL esmakordselt ajutise kaitse direktiivi. See kohustas kõiki ELi liikmesriike pakkuma Ukraina põgenikele aruandes.

Oroszország Ukrajnával szembeni katonai agressziója Európában évtizedek óta nem látott helyzeteket váltott ki. Halált, hatalmas pusztítást és elmondhatatlan szenvedést okoz. Emellett a II. világháború óta nem látott mértékű tömeges elvándorlást indított el. A lakóhelyüket elhagyni kényszerült személyek védelme érdekében az EU első alkalommal aktiválta az átmeneti védelemről szóló irányelvet. Ezzel összhangban valamennyi uniós tagállam köteles védelmet biztosítani az Ukrajnából menekülőknek.

L’aggressione militare della Russia contro l’Ucraina ha scatenato scenari che l’Europa non viveva da decenni. Da allora ha causato morte, distruzioni massicce e indicibili sofferenze. Ha inoltre innescato spostamenti di massa di persone che non si vedevano dalla seconda guerra mondiale. Per tutelare i profughi, l’UE ha attivato per la prima volta la direttiva sulla protezione temporanea. In tal modo, tutti gli Stati membri dell’UE devono offrire protezione agli sfollati in fuga dall’Ucraina.

Rosyjska napaść zbrojna na Ukrainę była początkiem scen niespotykanych w Europie od dziesięcioleci. Spowodowała śmierć, ogromne zniszczenia i niedające się opisać cierpienie. Wywołała również masowy przepływ ludzi, jakiego nie widziano od czasów drugiej wojny światowej. Aby ich chronić, UE uruchomiła unijną dyrektywę w sprawie tymczasowej ochrony. Tym samym wszystkie państwa członkowskie UE są zobowiązane do zapewnienia ochrony osobom przesiedlonym z Ukrainy.

Agresiunea militară a Rusiei împotriva Ucrainei a declanșat scene nemaivăzute în Europa de zeci de ani. De atunci a cauzat moarte, distrugeri masive și suferințe de nedescris. De asemenea, a declanșat o mișcare în masă de oameni, nemaiîntâlnită de la Al Doilea Război Mondial. Pentru a-i proteja, UE a activat pentru prima dată Directiva privind protecția temporară. Procedând astfel, toate statele membre ale UE sunt obligate să ofere protecție persoanelor strămutate din Ucraina.