In the report “No Place for Children”, the children’s rights organization Terre des Hommes documents the voices and perspectives of children and families seeking protection, as well as of professionals working on the accommodation of refugees, across Germany.
“After often perilous journeys, refugee children and their families hope for safety, protection, and a new future – instead, many experience a daily life filled with insecurity, characterized by cramped containers, dilapidated barracks, and an uncertain future,” says Joshua Hofert, spokesperson for the board of Terre des Hommes . “This situation stems from political decisions: In order to centralize asylum procedures and deport people more quickly, numerous asylum and residency regulations have been tightened – with tangible consequences for those who need protection most: children and young people. With the upcoming implementation of the reform of the Common European Asylum System, further, far-reaching restrictions are looming, even threatening detention or placement in prison-like conditions, including for children. This must be prevented at all costs.”
Although accommodation practices vary depending on the federal state, the report shows that everywhere in initial reception centers, AnkER centers and subsequent accommodations, children and young people experience limited and inadequate privacy, a lack of educational support and also psychological and physical violence, for example during deportations in their environment.
“Our report makes it clear that the existing accommodation system systematically hinders and prevents the integration of young people, even though many of them will remain in Germany long-term or permanently,” Hofert continued.
The report provides information on various forms of accommodation for children and their families, as well as the specific situation of unaccompanied minors. It is accompanied by a banner exhibition, which can be ordered from Terre des Hommes along with the report.
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Our name, " Terre des Hommes ," stands for "Earth of Humanity." Climate change, child labor, war, and displacement—we empower children and young people and protect them from violence and exploitation through our projects. We provide humanitarian aid and improve the living conditions of children worldwide. What is particularly important to us is that we work with partner organizations on the ground and, together with children, enforce their rights. As a children's rights organization, we are independent of governments, businesses, religious communities, and political parties. We currently support over 400 projects for children and young people in 45 countries.
Contact:
Wolf-Christian Ramm, +49 541 7101-158 or +49 171 6729748 c.ramm@tdh.de , www.tdh.de