Refugees live in “The Village All Together” camp (PIKPA), an open refugee camp in Mytilene, Lesvos. It a self-organised, autonomous space run by volunteers and is built on the principle of solidarity. @Giorgos Moutafid for AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
QUOTE
12 April 2017
EU: Increased protections for child migrants welcome step amid generally incoherent approach
• Amnesty International spokespeople available
In response to announcements by the European Commission on priority actions on child migrant’s protection Iverna McGowan, Amnesty International’s Head of European Institutions Office said:
“Whilst the Commission’s efforts to increase protection for child refugees are welcome and much needed, they do not address the underlying flaws in the EU’s approach to migration that are putting children at risk in the first place.”
“Just last month the European Commission pushed for allowing detention of children in EU countries which currently prohibit it. The failure to row back on this policy lays bare the Commission’s incoherent approach to the most vulnerable. ”
“The lack of safe and legal routes forces minors on dangerous journeys exposing them to violence, exploitation and injury. Children stranded on the Greek islands are living in appalling conditions without access to health care, education or proper housing.”
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Adela Sandu in Brussels on +32 2 235 13 85 or [email protected] / Stefan Simanowitz in London on [email protected] +44 2030365599
For Amnesty International’s response to the EC’s https://www.amnesty.eu/content/assets/EU_Action_Plan_Returns_NEW_FLASH_FINAL(1).pdf