Stefano Leszczynski, Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican
Ten thousand minors rescued, up to 20 percent of all those rescued at sea by SOS Mediterranée.
These numbers speak of the drama of children – first they cross the Sahara, experience violence and exploitation in Libya or Tunisia, and then entrust their lives to makeshift boats, trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. These are unaccompanied foreign minors – boys and girls who alone traverse one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.
It is to them that the new report „Alone at Sea” (Soli in mare), published by SOS Mediterranée, is dedicated.
They Flee War and Poverty
„Since the beginning of our rescue operations at sea, in March 2016, almost one in five people rescued by our ship crews was an unaccompanied minor,” explains Barbara Antonelli, head of communications at SOS Mediterranée Italia.
According to data cited in the report, at least 3,500 children and minors have gone missing in the central Mediterranean over the past ten years. This is a silent tragedy that – as UNICEF emphasizes – unfolds just a few miles from European shores. Despite this, the organization notes, European policy continues to focus mainly on strengthening border controls and transferring border management outside the territory of the European Union.
Boys Flee to Avoid War
Behind these numbers are stories marked by poverty, armed conflicts, and persecution. „Many of these young people come from West Africa, the Horn of Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia,” says Antonelli. „Most boys embark on the journey to improve their living conditions, find work, or escape war and hunger.”
Girls Flee Exploitation
Even more dramatic is often the situation of girls, who constitute about 10 percent of unaccompanied minors rescued. „Many of them flee forced marriages, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, or female genital mutilation,” Antonelli emphasizes.
Journeys Lasting Years
„These are children and young people who have often been traveling for many years,” Antonelli adds. „They cross the Sahara, one of the least monitored and most dangerous areas in the world, to then reach Libya and Tunisia, where violence, discrimination, and a lack of respect for human rights further increase their vulnerability.”
Upon reaching European shores, the difficulties do not end. The migrant protection system in Europe is still often ad hoc and unstable, as Antonelli states. „After such a difficult journey, minors enter a system full of gaps that can expose them to further problems and new difficulties,” she adds.
Europe That Does Not Protect Them
The organization’s concerns also relate to the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which came into force on June 12. „We are deeply concerned,” Antonelli emphasizes. „The new Pact means an increased risk and vulnerability for unaccompanied minors.”
Among the problems highlighted are: the possibility of long-term stays at the external borders of the European Union, an insufficient number of specialized support services, difficulties related to age assessment, and the risk of some minors being considered adults, which could deprive them of the protection guaranteed by law.
In addition, there are accelerated asylum application procedures which, according to the organization, may hinder access to legal aid, guardianship, and medical, psychological, and educational services.
