CHILDREN
EU Council adopts conclusions on the rights of the child
The Council of the EU adopted its conclusions on the EU strategy on the rights of the child on 9 June, more than a year after the Commission had presented the strategy. The Council highlights the importance of protecting children in emergency situations (including the COVID-19 pandemic); and for unaccompanied children, it calls on member states to ensure the rapid designation of a guardian, and support in their schooling and vocational training. However, key issues around children in migration procedures remain unresolved: the Council reiterates current EU legislation allowing for immigration of children (although international law now indicates that children should never be detained) and only mentions the best interests of the child in judicial proceedings, while many migration procedures are administrative ones.
CHILDREN
EU Council adopts conclusions on the rights of the child
The Council of the EU adopted its conclusions on the EU strategy on the rights of the child on 9 June, more than a year after the Commission had presented the strategy. The Council highlights the importance of protecting children in emergency situations (including the COVID-19 pandemic); and for unaccompanied children, it calls on member states to ensure the rapid designation of a guardian, and support in their schooling and vocational training. However, key issues around children in migration procedures remain unresolved: the Council reiterates current EU legislation allowing for immigration of children (although international law now indicates that children should never be detained) and only mentions the best interests of the child in judicial proceedings, while many migration procedures are administrative ones.