January 2014, Stockholm Monika Sandvik Nylund Senior Adviser for Children, UNHCR CONTRIBUTION OF INTERNATIONAL ACTORS TO BEST INTEREST ASSESSMENT

Overview UNHCR’s role –Protection of children –Trafficking Best Interests Procedure Suggestions for good practice

UNHCR and Protection of Children  Child Protection is part of UNHCR’s core mandate  Individual casework is a key feature:  Today: RSD – children in need of international protection Best Interest procedures for children at risk Durable solutions

Children of concern to UNHCR INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION NEEDS? Refugee children – YES Children seeking asylum - MAYBE UASC – in migratory flow - MAYBE Victims of trafficking - MAYBE

UNHCR and Trafficking Our role is two-fold: REFUGEES & DISPLACED VULNERABLE TO TRAFFICKING SOME VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING CAN BE DEFINED AS REFUGEES

Major Movements of Children

Movement of Children in the Horn of Africa

How can we protect Refugee Children against trafficking ? EXAMPLE: Ethiopia – Sudan – Egypt etc. KEY STRATEGIES: Addressing Secondary Movement, Trafficking and Smuggling Enhancing Alternative Care Arrangements Family Reunification Regional Coordination

Children in Emergencies Particular vulnerability to trafficking KEY STRATEGIES: - Quick identification and documentation - Support to families, education -Control: No adoption or removal of children in emergency phase -Child protection standards and procedures -ADOLESCENTS!

UNHCR BID PROCESS Work started in the 1990’s, BID guidance steps: BEST INTERESTS ASSESSMENT BEST INTERESTS DETERMINATION

UNHCR BID PROCESS A SAFEGUARD Documents the child’s views Child protection tool A panel decides on BIDs

BID – industrialized countries New UNHCR/UNICEF guidance on its way Purpose: Assist states in ensuring that the best interests of the child is a primary consideration in all actions concerning all unaccompanied and separated children who arrive in Europe.

Transnational aspects Resettlement or repatriation Family reunification

Challenges Children at risk but not in need of international protection Who is responsible? Who can we refer to?

Promising Practices Key role of national Child Protection Systems: i.in countries of origin ii.in countries of transit iii.in countries of destination AND Better cooperation between Social welfare, immigration and refugee authorities

Promising Practices  Access to Child Friendly Asylum Procedure

Promising Practices Access to birth registration  The Best Interests Procedure

THANK YOU