PRESS RELEASE
10 years of the EU-Türkiye agreement
Why Turkey is not safe for children fleeing persecution
Osnabrück/Berlin, March 17, 2026 – To mark the 10th anniversary of the EU-Turkey agreement, which was intended to reduce migration to the EU and improve reception conditions for refugees in Turkey, Terre des Hommes Germany is publishing the bulletin “Why Turkey is not a safe country for children on the run.” Analysis of the experiences of our partner organizations on the ground shows that the agreement does not meet the protection needs of children. Despite substantial EU funding, the protection of refugee children in Turkey remains inadequate, while migration controls and deportations have been expanded. Terre des Hommes therefore strongly warns against using the agreement as a model for further agreements with third countries.
Turkey is one of the most important countries of arrival for refugee children and families. However, conditions on the ground are extremely difficult: many of these children have to work to support themselves and their families. Together with their families, they can be arbitrarily detained and deported to countries where they face violence and torture – even in violation of international law. Another problem is that children and families often have their registration arbitrarily revoked or not renewed. "As a result, children can suddenly find themselves unable to attend school or receive vital medication," reports Nina Schwarz, Middle East expert at Terre des Hommes . The bulletin describes numerous concrete cases from the work of Terre des Hommes partner organizations in Turkey, illustrating the dire situation. "For example, eight-year-old Mehdi*, who suffers from cancer, only regained access to vital medication after Terre des Hommes partner organizations obtained an injunction."
“The EU-Turkey agreement has clearly failed to implement the necessary reforms in terms of human and children’s rights. Instead, it has stabilized a system based on deterrence that systematically deprives children fleeing persecution of their rights,” said Teresa Wilmes, expert on refugees and migration at Terre des Hommes . “We therefore call on the German government, as a key player within the EU, to prioritize the protection of children and to immediately end its financial support for detention and deportation structures.” This agreement must also not serve as a blueprint for future migration agreements. “Children and human rights obligations must be the non-negotiable basis for any cooperation with third countries. Anyone who draws up further agreements based on the EU-Turkey agreement is exporting predictable violations of children’s rights,” said Teresa Wilmes.
*Name changed to protect the child