On World Refugee Day and the Conference of Minister-Presidents on June 20th:
A sad record high: 47 million children and young people worldwide are refugees !
June 19, 2024 – According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) , 120 million people worldwide are currently displaced, including 47 million children and young people. "This is a tragic record high," explains Joshua Hofert, spokesperson for the board of the children's rights organization terre des hommes . "Refugee children need protection, but instead experience isolation and abuse at many of the European Union's external borders. They are fleeing war, violence, environmental destruction, and a lack of prospects. We must never forget: Every one of these children has a name, a story, and above all, the right to find protection. It is our humanitarian responsibility to offer these children a future."
On the occasion of the conference of state premiers (MPK) with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which is taking place on World Refugee Day, terre des hommes against current considerations to outsource asylum procedures to third countries. "The idea of outsourcing asylum procedures, which is also being discussed at the MPK, is highly problematic from a child rights perspective," says Joshua Hofert. "These children often flee because of serious violations of their rights, such as forced recruitment, child marriage, or persecution. After an often extremely traumatic journey, they must find protection instead of being sent on to another country where they face further violations of their rights." In a joint open letter, terre des hommes is therefore calling on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the state premiers to clearly reject the plans to outsource asylum procedures and instead work together with civil society to advocate for a sustainable approach to receiving asylum seekers in Germany.
“For years, we have witnessed a horrific humanitarian situation for refugee children and young people in our projects at the EU's external borders,” said Joshua Hofert. “This is also a consequence of previous attempts to outsource refugee protection, for example, following the EU-Turkey statement. Young refugees in our projects tell us how they or their companions are severely mistreated or detained. It is unacceptable that the already virtually non-existent refugee protection is further outsourced to countries where human rights standards may play no role whatsoever. Previous attempts have shown that they lead to more suffering for those affected and human rights violations, are ineffective, and extremely expensive. We therefore appeal to the Chancellor and the state premiers to find genuine solutions that safeguard the rights of children seeking protection in Germany and at the EU's external borders. A sustainable society needs diversity, openness, and a consistent commitment to human rights for all,” Hofert concluded.
The children's rights organization terre des hommes advocates worldwide for the rights of refugee children and young people. terre des hommes supports projects by partner organizations aimed at self-organization among refugee minors, providing psychosocial support, and improving their living conditions. In addition terre des hommes works at the political level to enforce the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child with the German Federal Government, the European Union, and the United Nations.
Further information:
- Action page on children's rights at the EU external borders, including the study "Before Walls and Behind Bars" on the situation at the European external borders, video statements with stories from young refugees, and action guides for organizing events on the topic: Children on the run: Children's rights at the EU external borders (tdh.de)