fundamental, systemic failure of the Greek authorities to provide protection to these particularly vulnerable and at risk young people. Flight from Poverty, Persecution, Exploitation and Discrimination Government sources and NGOs generally agree that most unaccompanied children currently coming into Greece are from Afghanistan, followed by countries including Somalia or Iraq—each heavily affected by armed conflict—and many are from other countries. However, given the lack of break-down by age of official figures on migration, there remains uncertainty from which countries unaccompanied children originate. Of the 53 unaccompanied children Human Rights Watch interviewed (see Methodology and Scope, above) most were from Afghanistan, with a majority belonging to the Hazara ethnic group. Many were from Somalia, some from Iraq, but others were from Congo-Brazzaville, Nigeria, the Philippines and Pakistan. The majority were boys aged 15 to 17. Many Afghan children told similar stories and motivations behind their journeys to Greece. A majority left Afghanistan in the 1990s at young ages, mainly for Iran. Many had only scant memories of their country, town or village. Sometimes children left jointly with their families, but a considerable number left Afghanistan on their own. Some did not know the exact circumstances behind their families’ departure; others recounted details of violence, drought, or persecution by the Taliban. Afghan children who had initially settled in Iran started working as early as age 10 to support themselves or their families, many employed in sweatshops or on construction sites and performing hazardous labor. Several children told Human Rights Watch that they suffered from chronic health problems as a result of such work at a young age. A vast majority said they had left Iran because the Iranian government started deporting Afghans who didn’t have regular status.9 9 See for example, United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, “World Refugee Survey 2008 - Iran,” June 19, 2008, http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/485f50d92.html (accessed September 11, 2008). 11 Human Rights Watch December 2008