Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights comments that decisions concerning migrant children must always be based on their best interests

The Commissioner, Nils Muižnieks, strongly condemns forced returns of children, detention of children, the use of X-ray tests to determine age, and recent proposals by the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom to set up a 'return house' called the 'Welcoming Centre' in Afghanistan to facilitate the return of children. While aimed at family reunification, the idea has been opposed due to risks of sexual and military trafficking, the high difficulty of family tracing in Afghanistan, and the risks of child disappearance and persecution. The Commissioner joins NGOs, and voices within the UN and the Council of Europe, in objecting to 'return houses'. A review, which places a child's best interests as the primary consideration, is demanded by the Commissioner.

See the Commissioner's full comment here.

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