C Explanatory memorandum by Mr Bugnon,
rapporteur for opinion
1. The Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population
considers it extremely important to include a protection perspective
in all humanitarian assistance provided or supported by the member
states of the Council of Europe. This protection perspective is
essential because the provision of assistance cannot be presumed
to be a neutral activity affecting everyone equally in the same
way. It therefore welcomes the provision contained in the draft
resolution, which recognises and promotes childhood as a factor
of particular vulnerability. This protection perspective assists
in addressing serious and sustained protection violations against
particularly vulnerable groups, such as children who are the worst
hit by the crisis.
2. Natural disasters and political crises often lead to displacement
of massive parts of the population, including children. The Haitian
earthquake displaced more than 2 million people and separated thousands
of families. An unknown number of persons remain outside the country.
For the large number of unaccompanied and orphaned children the
situation is especially difficult, since the state institutions
cannot yet ensure adequate protection or care. Most of these children
are either placed in institutions or have to live in precarious conditions
on the street or in camps, exacerbating their vulnerability to physical
and sexual violence, trafficking and all kinds of exploitation.
The member states of the Council of Europe should strengthen their
efforts in assisting national authorities to address separation
through family tracing and reunification and support the definite
return or resettlement of displaced persons.
3. Furthermore, the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population
is particularly concerned about the risk of statelessness of children
born in Haiti, due to a lack of birth registration and institutional
deficiencies in civil registration in general. It is estimated that
between 20% and 40% of children born in Haiti are not registered at
birth. The earthquake exacerbated problems related to civil identity
documentation. It is likely that hundreds of thousands of displaced
persons could have lost their identity documents, including birth
certificates. The inability to prove identity or citizenship has
made it difficult for children to receive assistance or access education
and health care. Without adequate birth and civil registration systems
in place, many children are vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking
and illegal adoption. The member states should assist national actors
in Haiti in addressing this situation.
4. The war in Afghanistan has changed the lives of many children,
leaving them in widespread poverty, hardship and insecurity and
suffering deep and lasting psychological trauma. In 2011, the difficult
situation for children persists due to a continued lack of access
to essential services and the most basic fundamentals, including
food, shelter, education (particularly for girls), health care and
the prospects for a better future. Other risks for children include
forced labour and trafficking, early and forced marriage or domestic
and sexual violence. Many children find themselves on the street
or decide to leave the country. According to Eurostat, 5 900 unaccompanied
minors were seeking asylum within the European Union in 2009. Further
humanitarian action and co-ordination between all actors providing
international aid, including the member states of the Council of
Europe, is needed to improve the situation in Afghanistan.
