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EUROPEAN PROJECT ON THE REINTEGRATION OF UNACCOMPANIED MINORS POTENTIALLY VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKINGThis European project, financed by the European Commission in the framework of the programme Return 2006, aimed at producing a feasibility study on the reintegration of minors- victims of trafficking. The study was the result of a convergence of interests and questioning between local authorities-represented by the EFUS and, within it, the cities of Turin, Barcelona and the Land of Tyrol, and specialized associations on the issue, such as the “Jeunes Errants” association (based in Marseille) and the “Terre des Hommes-Aide à l’enfance” foundation. This sharing of expertise was enriched by the scientific analysis of Dr Brenda Oude Breuil of the University of Utrecht. The feasibility study lasted 18 months (from 3rd of September 2007 to 26th of February 2009) and was based on 600 study cases in Albania, Austria, France, Italy, Romania and Spain.
Research Background: - Importance of the phenomenon in European cities - Identification of the problem of human trafficking - Irregular situations of children and youth and of their way of arrival in the receiving city/region - Difficulties in tackling the root causes for departure and in identifying the migratory and family background - Complexity of judicial and legal framework in national and international law which is applicable to children and youth - Questions regarding the possibilities and conditions for reintegration of these youth in their country of origin
Objectives: -Development of concrete responses on the feasibility of reintegration of foreign unaccompanied minors who are potential victims of trafficking in their home country. -Analysis of the situation and migratory history of the child, responsibilities and conditions for follow-up.
Calendar of events: The project consisted of three seminars (in Marseilles on November 08, in Paris on September 08 and in Brussels on March 2009) and a research phase which included field visits to the participating cities (Jan - Aug 2008). At the occasion of the final conference in Brussels on the 26th of March 2009, the EFUS presented the publication of the feasibility study “EFUS, Wandering young people: the conditions for return, 2009”, under the presence of the project’s partners and members of the European Commission. During the seminar, the guest participants presented their action in the field and they set up the debate between the public. Among the presentations, there were these of:
Dr. Brenda Oude Breuil, from the University of Utrecht, who presented the methodology and the profiles of wandering minors (in French),
Mr. Fabian Lutz, from the Direction Justice, Freedom and Security of the European Commission, Division of Border management and return (Unit C1), who presented the European return policy with a specific emphasis on minor-related issues. (in English)
Mrs Marlene Vermorken, Head of the Sector Migration and Asylum and of the programme AENEAS (Unit F2) of the Cooperation Office Europaid of the European Commission, who presented the programme AENEAS and its successor, the programme DCI Migration et Asylum. (in English and in French)
Mr. Cédric Foussard, Director of the International Observatory of Juvenile Justice, who presented the defense of children’s rights and their superior interests (in French).
You can also find the programme of the seminar in Brussels here.
Results: - Feasibility study on the possibilities, conditions and modalities of return for children and youth who have been victims of trafficking - Development of a methodology for interviews and detection of cases of trafficking - Analysis of the personal and migratory histories of the children, common characteristics, migrations, and specific social, cultural or professional needs - Improvement of procedures and suggestions of operations in international law in the view of the best interest of the child.
The study’s outcomes could further improve local practice (local public authorities, specialized NGOs) in the analysis of the history of the youth who have been victims of trafficking, their education and social support, and the modalities and conditions for a voluntary return to their home country. Therefore, the EFUS’s recommendations are based on three axes: - Case by case treatment - Support of a multidisciplinary work and collaboration among actors involved - Development of transnational and solidarity strategies
The overall conclusions of the study can be found in the EFUS’s publication: EFUS, Wandering young people: the conditions for return, 2009, upon request.
Project Partners:
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Association Jeunes Errants (AJE)
Photos from the 1st meeting in Marseille