Germany
Young protection seekers in initial reception and follow-up accommodations
Each third asylum application in 2024 came from a child or adolescent - in the previous year there were even more. They flee from war, violence and poverty and they need protection. But in Germany they often expect lack of prospects: cramped accommodations, everyday life full of uncertainty and lack of funding. Clays of the asylum laws aggravate the location.
Studies show: The poor admission system hinders integration and violates children's rights. Terre Des Hommes makes the perspectives of children and adolescents visible and is at your side together with partner organizations to achieve improvements together.
Demands
For child -friendly care and accommodation children and adolescents seeking protection!
Children and adolescents have the right to protection, education and privacy. Accommodation in initial reception facilities and anchor centers systematically violates them.
Terre Des Hommes demands that the living obligation in these facilities for families with children with children to a maximum of four weeks. This requires a change from the Asylum Act in the BUND - until then the federal states should use their scope for action!
Life in a confined space in shared accommodation affects children and adolescents mentally and physically. Terre Des Hommes demands that families seeking protection are accommodated decentrally and in their own apartments - regardless of the country of origin and residence status. The requirements for living in shared accommodation must be abolished and access to child -friendly living space must be ensured. This also requires promoting a social housing policy!
The rights of children and adolescents seeking protection cannot be preserved without legal protection and other child law procedural guarantees.
Terre Des Hommes is committed to legal protection for minors in all procedural steps. Trained specialists, guardianship and legal assistance are needed from the start as well as the consideration of the principle "in case of doubt for the minor". Medical methods for age assessment rejects Terre Des Hommes - they are contrary to the right and unreliable.
The Asylum Seekers Authority (AsylumBlG) is massively restricting the autonomy and participation of children and adolescents that are looking for protection.
Terre Des Hommes calls for the abolition of the asylum BLG and equal access to social security, participation and health for everyone according to the control services of the social law books. The youth welfare must be strengthened and better accesses for refugee children and families have to be created. Stigmatizing payment cards must be abolished.
Every child should have the opportunity to develop their own potential in the best possible way. A child cannot help in which family and in which society it is born - and whether it has to flee from war, crises and poverty.
Terre Des Hommes , together with partner organizations in more than 40 countries, is committed to good conditions for growing up and child development and demands from the governments worldwide to strengthen children in particular - also in a country with a lot of assets, such as Germany.