•
Urgently register and process applications from unaccompanied asylum-seeking
children in Greece who are eligible for family reunification in other European Union
member states under the Dublin Regulation, and from unaccompanied children
who are eligible for relocation under the EU emergency relocation plan, while
ensuring their best interests are taken into account.
To the European Commission
•
Urgently allocate additional emergency funding to Greece and to nongovernmental
organizations that is specifically designated to increase long-term care placements
for unaccompanied children.
•
Urgently support family reunification of unaccompanied children from Greece to
member states under the Dublin Regulation, including through technical and
financial support to Greece.
•
Amend the emergency relocation plan to ensure that all asylum-seeking
unaccompanied children are eligible for relocation to other EU countries,
regardless of nationality, and that the best interests of children are taken into
account in relocation decisions.
To European Union Member States
•
Urgently facilitate family reunification of unaccompanied children from Greece
under the Dublin Regulation.
•
Urgently make designated, sufficient places available for unaccompanied children as
part of formal pledges, taking into account the best interests of children, and
accelerate the fulfillment of obligations under the EU emergency relocation scheme.
•
Support a revision of the EU emergency relocation plan to ensure that all asylumseeking unaccompanied children are eligible for relocation to other EU countries,
regardless of their nationality, and that the best interests of children are taken into
account in relocation decisions.
To EU, Council of Europe, and UN Human Rights Bodies and Experts
•
Assess and report on Greece’s reception of unaccompanied children, including
through visits to facilities where children are detained, with due attention to arbitrary
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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | SEPTEMBER 2016