In only a year, the number of Afghan children travelling alone and seeking asylum in Europe has increased by two thirds. In 2008, the number was 3 800. By 2009, the number was 6 000.
However, the actual number is likely higher, as many children do not declare refugee status for fear that they will be repatriated. Under international humanitarian law, it is illegal to send a refugee back to a country where they may face life-threatening persecution. To do so is called renfoulement.
Laura Boldrini of the UN High Commission for Refugees, speaking to the media about this issue, highlighted the difficulty caused by different asylum policies in Europe. In any case, while some countries have laws prohibiting the aid of migrants denied refugee status, under the Convention on the Rights of the Child children must be guaranteed special protection irrespective of nationality. In countries like France and Italy, they are given special quarters for migrant, orphaned, or disturbed children.
The journey to Europe is often life-threatening. Many migrant children must travel through several different countries in the backs of trucks, on wagons, or on foot. They do so without reliable access to food and water. Their final destinations?—the UK (where many have family among the Afghan Diaspora) or Scandinavia (where the quality of social services and education attracts them).
Some migrant children are involved in cases of child trafficking. The Afghan Interior Ministry has even reported cases of children being abducted for the purpose of harvesting organs. By way of explanation, a 2008 report by the International Organization for Migration states, “Children are another large pool of potential ‘targets’ for trafficking with widespread poverty compelling up to one third of Afghan children to work in order to augment their family income.” The lack of formally developed border controls in the country along with the vulnerability caused by mass displacement from armed conflict further enabled child trafficking.
Sometimes the intention of child trafficking is much more benign. In some instances, Afghan families have allowed their children to be transported to Europe as illegal human cargo in hopes of ensuring a better life for them abroad. Urgently required then, are solutions that allow children to remain with families with improved educational opportunities especially, which is in their best interests.