Europe has adhered to a mixture of policies in response to the contemporary migrant crises through the "European Agenda on Migration".
The objective of this scheme is to lower the number of refugees and migrants entering the continent while elevating the equivalent number of individuals being deported back to their home countries. There is reasonable concern however, revolving around the protection of human rights pertaining to migrants, considering the continent has made excessive use of youth detention.
Although the practice of independent European governments detaining non-citizens over migration-related issues is licit, its imperative for such legislation to be aligned with international codes of conduct. Furthermore, the practice of youth detention is far too normalized.
This report analyzes the practice of the detention of children and youth in Europe. The first two sections of the report explore the European and international judicial characteristics circulating this issue. Lastly, this report prescribes recommendations that should be enacted in response to emerging obstacles.
The report concludes with the following prescriptions:
- The prohibition of child and youth detention related to migration-related causes
- The implementation of alternative solutions for refugee and migrant youth along with their families
- The observation and proper acknowledgement of the right to family life