Executive Summary: [ full report here: http://www.qcea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Child-immigration-detention-in-Europe.pdf ]
This report explores aspects of child immigration detention in Europe. After briey describing the legal framework and standards at international and European levels, the report gives an overview of the situation in Europe by addressing three main questions: How many children are detained in the context of migration?
Which laws and policies regulate the practice, and what are the existing alternatives to child immigration detention
The report also discusses the impacts of detention, giving special attention to the different impacts on girls and boys in detention.
The report concludes by reasserting that detention is never in the best interests of a child, having detrimental impact on health and well-being. While there is an international growing consensus on the need for alternatives to detaining children,
European countries are continuing to do so.
As some alternatives to child detention already exist, and others are being developed, our report insists on the need to implement measures that would ensure that children are protected from a seemingly costly, ineffective and harmful approach.
The Quaker Council for European Aairs (QCEA) is grateful to the many governments and civil society organisations that responded to our requests for information.
Sylvain Mossou
QCEA Human Rights Programme
July 201