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Recommendation 2056 (2014) Final version
The alternatives to the immigration detention of children
1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers
to its Resolution 2020
(2014) on the alternatives to the immigration detention
of children.
2. The Assembly stresses that States which practise the immigration
detention of children contravene the principle of the best interests
of the child and violate children’s rights. They deprive children
of their fundamental right to liberty and put them at risk of severe
and lifelong physical, mental and developmental harm. They may also
violate other fundamental child rights, such as the rights to family,
health, education and play. The Assembly considers that in order
to stop this inhuman practice, the Council of Europe has an important
role to play in promoting alternatives to the immigration detention
of children.
3. The Assembly therefore calls on the Committee of Ministers
to:
3.1. launch a study to collect
qualitative and quantitative data on the immigration detention of
children and the use of non-custodial, community-based alternatives
to detention for children and families, and promote the sharing
of these practices across Europe;
3.2. set up guidelines for conducting child-friendly age-assessment
procedures for migrant children.