PRESS RELEASE
Event invitation: Children in Greece without documents - children at an impasse?
Greece has been a common entry point for people seeking international protection, trying to escape persecution,climate, economic or health crises in their countries of origin, with an increase since 2015. The experience of new arrivals in Greece is too often characterised by inadequate living conditions and limited access to services, resulting in the violation of their fundamental rights. Refugee children are among the most vulnerable groups and, despite their multifaceted needs, they face serious risks and challenges. Unaccompanied and separated children are at a particularly high risk of violence, abuse and exploitation. For this reason, they need a legal and stable residence status for as long as they are still children. While there have been provisions in place since 2018, the legal framework for guardianship has still not been implemented. Finally, also due to the absence of the above, refugee children remain exposed to attacks of racism and other forms of violence, which, are often not reported to the authorities and remain in the shadows.
In light of World Refugee Day, the Child’s Rights Advocacy Network is organising an online discussion forum on this important issue, where children will reveal the challenges they face in their daily lives and discuss potential solutions with key stakeholders including:
- Heracles Moskoff , Special Secretary for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors
- Theoni Koufonikolakou, Greek Ombudswoman, responsible for Children's Rights
- Fay Fragiskatou, former President of the Secondary Asylum Committee PD114/2010; Official of the Ministry of Interior
The discussion will be moderated by Agapi Chouzouraki, lawyer and advocacy officer at the Greek Council for Refugees.
The event will take place in Greek via Zoom on Tuesday 20 June 2023 at 15:00 - 17:00. Please register at http://bit.ly/cran_wrd.
Participating Members of the Child Rights Advocacy Network:
- Amna – Refugee Healing Network
- ARSIS - Association for the social support of the youth
- Better Days
- ChangeMakers Lab
- Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
- ELIX - Conservation Volunteers Greece
- Iternational Rescue Committee (IRC) Hellas
- Network for Children’s Rights
- Terre des hommes Hellas
- The Home Project
- Schedia (Raft) -Center for Artistic and Pedagogical Training
- SolidarityNow
The event is supported by Save the Children
