“Reception of unaccompanied minor refugees? First a thorough screening and specialised reception in Greece”

“We are not saying no as such to the request to receive unaccompanied minor refugees, but that does have to take place under strict conditions.” The N-VA group in the Flemish Parliament wants a thorough screening of unaccompanied minor refugees and better reception in Greece.

Adapted reception centre

Some European member states such as Germany and Croatia are planning to voluntarily receive up to 1,500 unaccompanied minor refugees that are stuck on the Greek islands. In the N-VA’s opinion, attention must definitely be given to the situation of unaccompanied minors. However, it does want to link a few conditions to it. “To start with, better and specialised reception must be organised in Greece, namely a separate reception centre adapted to the needs of minors.”

Thorough identification

In addition, the party is advocating a thorough identification of the minors. “We must check whether they are both real minors and real refugees. In addition, we must make efforts to find the parents. If it doesn’t concern refugees but rather for example a teenager from Morocco or if the parents are in a safe country, then efforts to achieve reunification with the parents must be made as a priority.” The specialised reception there must be created with our support and expertise.

Not in the hands of human traffickers

The N-VA warns that the minors must not disappear from our reception centres. “The minors also often have a final destination in mind and we must at all costs avoid them falling into the hands of human traffickers. For this reason we must check whether they are real unaccompanied minors who wish to remain here, for example because they already have family here, and not transmigrants.”

Protection in closed reception centres

To avoid minors falling into the hands of human traffickers - or even worse, modern slave traders - it can sometimes be worthwhile accommodating them in closed and secured reception centres. “In our country too, we protect children by accommodating them in closed youth institutions. The young people are therefore best received by youth welfare facilities. The federal government will have to consult with the communities in this regard,” the party says.