This archive report was first published on 25 August 2019.
Published on August 25, 2019, the UNHCR expressed concern over the safety of migrant children in Greece, particularly in the overcrowded Moria camp.
According to the UN, nearly 70 unaccompanied children are being hosted in a safe area within the camp, but over 500 other boys and girls are staying in various parts of the facility without a guardian, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
UNHCR representative in Greece, Philippe Leclerc, called for urgent measures to ensure the children's transfer to a safe place, citing the recent incident where a 15-year-old Afghan boy fatally stabbed a compatriot and injured two others.
Leclerc emphasized that Moria is not a suitable place for children who have faced trauma and hardship, and they require special care in designated shelters.
The Greek government has announced plans to speed up its asylum process, aiming to send rejected applicants back to Turkey. However, rights groups have warned that the long wait for migrants, often without access to information, is detrimental to their mental health.
