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France Criticized for Detaining Unaccompanied Minors
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By Kenneth F. Hunt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
PARIS, France – Over the past week, the press has criticized France for its policy of detaining migrant children that arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport unaccompanied. A recent report released by Human Rights Watch attacks the detention policy on several areas.
The report stated that France detained far more unaccompanied children migrants than other European nations. 1,500 unaccompanied minors were detained at Charles de Gaulle airport in an eighteen month period between January 2008 and July 2009. Over 1000 of those minors were detained in 2008 alone. In comparison, only 72 unaccompanied migrants were detained in Germany’s airports that year.
Additionally, the detention process itself has been criticized as illegal. While the children were in custody, they were placed in “transit zones” inside of the airport. These “transit zones” were extra-territorial legal fictions. In other words, French authorities argued that while the children were in “transit zones” they were not within French territory. The report contends that the use of extra-territorial status to limit the rights of migrant children may violate France's obligations under international law.
The report concluded that the unaccompanied migrants were exposed to unnecessary risks and degrading treatment while in custody. Many unoccupied minors were forced to sign papers that they were unable to read, relating to their legal status. Signatures were routinely forced out of unwilling children through threats of deportation, and many children were hand-cuffed or restrained for days at a time. Others were denied access to toilets for more than twenty-four hours.
Despite this critical report, French government officials defend their policy. They argue that the use of "transit zones" is essential to insuring that unaccompanied minors do not engage in criminal behavior.
For more information, please see:
BBC – France migrant policy criticised – 29 October 2009
Human Rights Watch – France: Abolish Airport Limbo for Migrant Children – 29 October 2009
News 24 – Child migrant policy slammed – 29 October 2009
New York Times – French Airport Zone Poses Risk to Arriving Minors, Report Says – 29 October 2009
Relief Web – Lost in Transit: Insufficient protection for unaccompanied migrant children at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport – 29 October 2009
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
PARIS, France – Over the past week, the press has criticized France for its policy of detaining migrant children that arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport unaccompanied. A recent report released by Human Rights Watch attacks the detention policy on several areas.
The report stated that France detained far more unaccompanied children migrants than other European nations. 1,500 unaccompanied minors were detained at Charles de Gaulle airport in an eighteen month period between January 2008 and July 2009. Over 1000 of those minors were detained in 2008 alone. In comparison, only 72 unaccompanied migrants were detained in Germany’s airports that year.
Additionally, the detention process itself has been criticized as illegal. While the children were in custody, they were placed in “transit zones” inside of the airport. These “transit zones” were extra-territorial legal fictions. In other words, French authorities argued that while the children were in “transit zones” they were not within French territory. The report contends that the use of extra-territorial status to limit the rights of migrant children may violate France's obligations under international law.
The report concluded that the unaccompanied migrants were exposed to unnecessary risks and degrading treatment while in custody. Many unoccupied minors were forced to sign papers that they were unable to read, relating to their legal status. Signatures were routinely forced out of unwilling children through threats of deportation, and many children were hand-cuffed or restrained for days at a time. Others were denied access to toilets for more than twenty-four hours.
Despite this critical report, French government officials defend their policy. They argue that the use of "transit zones" is essential to insuring that unaccompanied minors do not engage in criminal behavior.
For more information, please see:
BBC – France migrant policy criticised – 29 October 2009
Human Rights Watch – France: Abolish Airport Limbo for Migrant Children – 29 October 2009
News 24 – Child migrant policy slammed – 29 October 2009
New York Times – French Airport Zone Poses Risk to Arriving Minors, Report Says – 29 October 2009
Relief Web – Lost in Transit: Insufficient protection for unaccompanied migrant children at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport – 29 October 2009
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