On 28 March 2018, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold a debate on unaccompanied refugee children at its 34th session where Rapporteur Nawel RAFIK-ELMRINI (France, SOC) will present the report “Unaccompanied refugee children: the role and responsibilities of local and regional authorities”.

The debate will focus on how local and regional governments, as public authorities on the frontline of refugee reception, can protect refugee children’s rights, enforce quality standards and encourage positive community attitudes towards refugees.

In the resolution and recommendation to be adopted in March, all levels of government are invited to adopt a child-rights-based approach (highlighting non-discrimination, best interests of the child, right to life, survival and development and the right to be heard) and call on member States to end the detention of children and fast-tracking asylum procedures for vulnerable children and families.