Success of EU-Turkey deal will depend on its impact on children, says World Vision

MARCH 18, BRUSSELS – Today’s deal announced by EU leaders will be judged on whether children are protected or put further in danger, says aid agency World Vision. 

“The challenge before leaders is undoubtedly huge,” says Justin Byworth, World Vision’s EU Representative in Brussels. “But we have got to see a focus on ensuring that children are protected, the rights of refugees and migrants upheld and humanitarian assistance reaches those stuck and suffering along closed borders. 

“The best interests of children must be the overarching goal. 

“One in three refugees who makes the treacherous journey from Turkey to Europe is a child. We know that many children have already been wrenched away from their parents, so the impact of this policy needs to help, not harm, them.” 

“This new deal could bring some hope of safe and secure migration routes for people fleeing war-torn areas, but its enforcement is our primary concern. We fear this could result in a surge towards Europe in the next few days as families see the door is slamming shut. 

“Many parents may turn to smugglers as they stop at nothing to find sanctuary for their children – which, ironically, may cost them their lives. 

“We urge leaders behind the plan to urgently provide clarity and reassurance about how they will protect children and their families in the next 48 hours.” 

A new study released by World Vision in Germany today looks at the needs and views of refugee children who have arrived in Germany. The research found that refugee children want to go to school, integrate and make friends, but the services to help them need to be more coordinated, better funded and prioritised. 

The organisation is calling on EU leaders to fully respect the law and spirit of the EU’s own legislation, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1951 Refugee Convention. 

“Already, 10,000 children have disappeared since they arrived in Europe,” says Byworth. “The suffering of these children, and those left behind, is unthinkable. 

“Europe has a responsibility to these children.”   

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• World Vision is a relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. It works in close to 100 countries in most regions of the world including Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific Region.
• World Vision Brussels’ office represents World Vision members in 12 European countries, including 10 EU member states, as well as the wider international World Vision partnership.
• In a report released last week, The Cost of Conflict for Children, World Vision recommends that protection mechanisms should be put in place along the migration route to protect unaccompanied minors from abuse and exploitation. The report also calls upon refugee host countries to scale-up resettlement and alternative humanitarian admissions programmes in order to protect those who flee violence.

For more information, please contact Ludovic Wahis, Policy and Communications Officer, World Vision Brussels & EU Representation, +32 (0) 2 274 18 67, Ludovic_Wahis@wvi.org