Children’s Rights, Migration, and Family Unity The Principle of Family Unity and International Children’s Rights Standards within the Context of Migration Regional Seminar on Migration and Family, RCM April 2010

The Family within the International Legal Framework Migración Cambio familiar Migration Changes in the Family unite for children

The family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and wellbeing of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community. Preamble to the Convention on the Rights of the Child The Family within the International Legal Framework unite for children

Los niños y niñas deben vivir en un entorno en el que se sientan apoyados, protegidos, cuidados y que promueva todo su potencial. Los niños privados de su medio familiar están en situación de desprotección. El Estado debe velar porque los niños vivan con su familia, que éstas tengan apoyo en su función cuidadora y que, si los niños están separados de su familia, se reúnan con ella nuevamente. The Family within the International Legal Framework Boys and girls should live in an environment where they feel supported, protected, cared for, and which promotes their full potential. Children who are deprived of their family environment are in a situation of lack of protection. The State should ensure that children live with their families, that families are supported in their role of caretakers and that, if children are separated from their families, they are reunited with them. unite for children

Los niños y niñas se quedan en su lugar de origen y uno o ambos padres han migrado a otro país. Los niños y niñas están en tránsito solos o acompañados o están en proceso de repatriación. Los niños y niñas son solicitantes de refugio. Los niños y niñas viven en el país de destino o han nacido en el país de destino de padres extranjeros en situación de migración irregular. The Principle of Family Unity within the Context of Migration: Several Scenarios Boys and girls remain in their community of origin and one or both parents have migrated to another country. Boys and girls are applicants for refugee status. Boys and girls live in the country of destination or were born in the country of destination as children of foreign parents in an irregular migration situation. Boys and girls are in transit – alone or accompanied – or are in the process of repatriation.

The obligations of States relating to the right to family life and its inclusion in migration policy can involve:  Refraining from adopting decisions which involve separation of the members of a family  Implementing positive actions to promote the reunification of children with their families The Principle of Family Unity and the Rights of Unaccompanied Boys and Girls in Transit unite for children

Principio de unidad familiar aplicado a niños y niñas migrantes no acompañados Tienen derecho a tener una familia y las familias tienen derecho a cuidar de ellos Deben tener acceso a servicios destinados a reunirlos con sus padres o tutores rápidamente En las actuaciones no debe separarse al niño de sus familiares al menos que sea para asegurar su protección The Principle of Family Unity unite for children The principle of family unity applied to unaccompanied migrant boys and girls They have the right to have a family, and families have the right to take care of them They should have access to services to quickly reunite them with their parents or guardians Actions should not separate children from their families, unless this is done to protect them

All decisions relating to unaccompanied migrant boys or girls should tend to comply with the principle of family unity, unless a judge establishes that this is not the most appropriate action in order to ensure the rights of the child. The Child’s Best Interest should be considered in making this decision. The Principle of the Child’s Best Interest unite for children

In making decisions and implementing actions, States should: – Listen to and consider what children have to say regarding the decisions relating to their placement and care, search for their family, and family reunification. – Interviews and information should be in the child’s preferred language. The Principle of Participation unite for children

Los niños y niñas son en primer lugar sujetos de derechos y, en un segundo término, migrantes. De ninguna forma el status migratorio del niño o de sus padres puede ser motivo de discriminación. The Principle of Non-Criminalization of Irregular Migration unite for children Boys and girls are, first of all, subjects of rights and secondly, migrants. Under no circumstances may the migration status of the child or his/her parents be a reason for discrimination.

Interaction of principles governing the actions of States regarding unaccompanied migrant boys and girls Niña o niño migrante no acompañado Principio de unidad familiar Principio de participación Principio de no criminalización por status migratorio Principio del interés superior del niño Principle of Family Unity Principle of Partici- pation Principle of the Child’s Best Interest Principle of non- criminalization due to migration status Un- accompanied migrant boy or girl

Some advances regarding bi-national agreements for the repatriation of unaccompanied boys and girls; The legislation has yet to consider the Child’s Best Interest as a criterion to suspend a deportation action; Insufficient legal mechanisms of due process to prevent the separation of families in deportation processes. Challenges in the Latin American and Caribbean region in terms of ensuring the rights to family life, non-separation, and family reunification of unaccompanied migrant boys and girls unite for children

Most of the laws in the countries in the region do not consider a judicial proceeding in cases of expulsion of migrants. In many countries, administrative – and not legal – authorities are the ones determining the separation of parents from their children in migration processes. Advances and challenges in the Latin American and Caribbean region in terms of ensuring the rights to family life, non-separation, and family reunification of unaccompanied migrant boys and girls unite for children

Insufficient legal mechanisms to facilitate participation of the child in migration procedures. Most State norms have yet to incorporate the principle of family unity or, specifically, family reunification. Challenges in the Latin American and Caribbean region in terms of ensuring the rights to family life, non-separation, and family reunification of unaccompanied migrant boys and girls unite for children

To arrange for the return of boys and girls, in order to be reunited with their parents, other family members, and loved ones in the country of origin or, if this is not possible, to be incorporated into childhood protection programs in the country of origin. To arrange for their stay in the country of destination, their migration regularization and, if it is in their best interest, to take actions to allow their parents to stay, gain regular migration status, or enter the country, in order to achieve family reunification. This option has not been sufficiently developed in the region. Alternatives for States to ensure the right to family life of unaccompanied migrant children as a lasting solution unite for children

Thank you… unite for children