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Unaccompanied Minor Refugees

The UNCRC stipulates that a minor who is not accompanied by his parent or a legal guardian has a right to a special protection, and that States have a legal duty to provide adequate protection and to help such children finding their parents and other family members.

ISS does what is in its power to grant unaccompanied minors the opportunity to live in safety within their own family and that realisable plans for their further development be immediately set in motion.

Our Activities:

  • ISS looks for the kin of non-accompanied minors abroad and finds out whether a return to the minor’s country of origin is feasible; for additional information go to Programmes.
  • ISS handles requests to re-unite families in Switzerland or abroad
  • ISS favours a return with dignity: helping a minor/juvenile returning to his/her country of origin gaining a foothold and to successfully be integrated into society
  • in cases where a minor/juvenile is barred for good reason to return to his/her country of origin or to travel into another country ISS initiates the legal procedure necessary for the minor to be granted asylum, or whatever other status is proper; for additional information go to "Law on Foreigners". As of January 1, 1996 ISS has been charged by the Canton of Geneva to take care of wards of court.
  • SCP-Europe program
  • cooperation with The International Institute for the Rights of the Child (IDE)

 

Programme "Unaccompanied Minor Refugees"

L'Alliance pour les droits des mineurs non accompagnés en Suisse (in french)