ANIMATION: Migrants – Unaccompanied minors stranded in Paris (ENG)

Almost 34,000 unaccompanied minors arrived in Europe in 2016.
Mainly from Eritrea, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Gambia, most passed through Libya before getting to Italy.

MSF195601

To Report An Asset

Linked assets

Migrants – Mineurs et isolés dans les rues de Paris (FR)

Subt. French

A Month in Focus - May 2017

ANIMATION: Migrants – Unaccompanied minors stranded in Paris (INT)

ANIMATION: Migrants – Unaccompanied minors stranded in Paris (DE)

Subt. German

Add to lightbox

Add to cart

Unique Identifier Code / URN MSF195601

Date taken / Date Recorded 19/05/2017 12:00 AM

Country Unspecified Country

Commissioning section MSF-FRANCE

Usage Rights (MSF) Advertising Campaign, External Media, MSF Fundraising, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available no

Editor's rating ★★★★★ (C)

Video format h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661)

Duration 3m25s

Maximum Size 1920px × 1080px 340.86 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist MIGRANTS
Almost 34,000 unaccompanied minors arrived in Europe in 2016.
Mainly from Eritrea, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Gambia, most passed through Libya before getting to Italy.
In administrative jargon, an “unaccompanied minor” is a foreign, under-18 year-old child not in the care of a responsible adult — father, mother or close relative.
ONSCREEN TEXT: UNACCOMPANIED MINOR - -18 - FOREIGN
In France, child welfare services have a legal obligation to protect these children. The same regulations apply nationwide but, depending on the region, they receive very different treatment.
What does the law say?
ONSCREEN TEXT: LAW
Upon entering French territory, anyone claiming to be an unaccompanied minor must be provided protection, shelter and, if necessary, medical care.
Their unaccompanied minor status must be assessed within 5 and 13 days maximum. During this period also, they are to be provided accommodation and protection. All unaccompanied minors legally recognised as such remain under the care of the state until the legal age of majority.
ONSCREEN TEXT: MAXIMUM - -18 – maximum - SCHOOL

Paris is one of the regions of France with the most unaccompanied minors. In 2016, 2,005 were assessed by child protection services. The system is overstretched and contrary to what the law provides, the youngsters — traumatised after long and dangerous journeys —have no safe place where they can get some respite, recuperate, access healthcare and obtain information on their rights. Some are even denied the possibility of having their request examined properly. In the 'humanitarian center' set up by the authorities, an initial 15-minute interview can be all it takes for the Demie, the evaluation unit for unaccompanied foreign minors, to reject their application.
ONSCREEN TEXT: 2,005 UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
DEMIE – Evaluation Unit for Unaccompanied Foreign Minors – 15 minutes

Applicants who manage to get an assessment interview then have to wait an average of 4 weeks for the decision — far more than the maximum of 13 days provided by law. During this time, they’re put up in hotels where they receive almost no support.
ONSCREEN TEXT: MONDAY – TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY – THURSDAY – FRIDAY – SATURDAY – SUNDAY – HOTEL – REJECTED – 80 – 85% - 50%
The percentage of applications rejected upon completion of the age assessment procedure is much higher in Paris than the national average: 80 to 85%, compared to 50% elsewhere in the country.
Once rejected, these asylum seekers are no longer entitled to protection. Presumed to be adults from the time they entered France if they are unable to provide proof they're under 18, their only option is to appeal the rejection before a juvenile court.
ONSCREEN TEXT: PRESUMED AN ADULT – PROOF UNDER 18 -
In Paris, the association ADJIE supports them through this process that can take up to several weeks. Considered neither adults nor children during this time, they are in limbo with no protection. Many sleep rough while waiting for the court’s decision.
ONSCREEN TEXT: ADJIE - Assistance and Protection of Young Unaccompanied Foreign Nationals

In autumn 2015, Médecins sans Frontières began assisting refugees, first in the camps in northern France, then in Paris with a mobile health clinic and emergency shelter. A team is also working on setting up a day center which will be open to unaccompanied minors who are in transit, who have recently arrived or who have been rejected by the child protection system. MSF will provide primary and mental healthcare and help youngsters integrate state-run health services. The teams will also work together with other associations specialised in education and legal aid for minors. Lastly, MSF plans to provide temporary accommodation to 50 minors awaiting the outcome of their appeals or who are sleeping rough.

Keywords

animation

Migrant