SOS Kinderdorf e.V. had made a submission to Germany’s Universal Periodic Review focusing on improving reception conditions for unaccompanied and separated children; access to services including for mental wellbeing and a path to residence status and employability for young people with migration background.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a monitoring mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council. It is a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN member states by their peers to improve the human rights situation in every country, including the rights of children and youth.
Following the submission to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Germany by SOS Kinderdorf e.V., Younes, a 22-year old originally from Afghanistan who lives in one of their youth group homes in Berlin, had the chance to directly present his recommendations to an audience of diplomatic and civil society representatives at the UN in Geneva.
The statement by Prof. Dr. Sabina Schutter
SOS Children's Villages Germany welcomes the progress made in the context of the UPR of Germany and extends its gratitude to the Federal Government for its commitment to support key recommendations that address the rights of refugee children. In particular, we wholeheartedly applaud the Federal Government's support for recommendations that call for sufficient personnel and financial resources to support refugee children and look forward to the recruitment of more professionals for this crucial task. The emphasis placed on the importance of family reunification opportunities, as well as ensuring appropriate and unhindered access to education and health services for refugee children, by supporting the respective recommendations, fills us with great hope.
Despite these positive developments, the work of SOS Children's Villages in Germany shows that young refugees continue to require more comprehensive support. The day-to-day challenges faced by these children and adolescents, especially in terms of access to mental health and psychosocial support, demand concrete actions.
We acknowledge and welcome the Federal Government's commitment to improve the conditions for the reception and care of unaccompanied children and those separated from their families. However, specific efforts are needed to improve the mental well-being and educational opportunities for these children. SOS Children's Villages has observed that traumatized children and adolescents need specialized psychological care to overcome their experiences and start a new life in Germany.
Furthermore, increased investments in the training and further education of caregivers and social workers are required to apply trauma-sensitive practices and ensure child-appropriate support. Access to psychosocial services and support offers must be expanded and facilitated for all children, regardless of their residence status.
SOS Children's Villages is commited to supporting the Federal Government and other stakeholders in implementing these recommendations.