Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 16, 2025 Refugees and migrants
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) held France responsible for "serious and systematic" violations of the rights of unaccompanied minors. Many of them are left homeless, deprived of basic care, and living in conditions the Committee described as "degrading" and "contrary to human dignity."
In a report published today, the CRC experts welcomed France's view of unaccompanied minors primarily as children in need of care and protection, who should be given a place in the child protection system.
Presumption of minority
However, as the Committee has noted, a significant number of individuals claiming to be children are, through a series of "erroneous" procedures, recognized as adults. Such assessments are often based on appearance or unreliable medical examinations, conducted without the presence of a trusted adult, legal guardian, or lawyer. As a result, children are systematically denied access to the protection system.
The presumption of minority, which is supposed to protect a child until proven otherwise, applies in France only until the initial age determination is made. Those whose age is contested or whose appeals are pending are denied support, leaving them to survive on the streets, in parks, or in temporary camps without adequate food, water, medical care, or education. They remain in this situation until a final court decision is made. The proportion of those ultimately declared minors ranges from 50 to 80 percent.
Violations of children's rights
"These children are at high risk of human trafficking, violence, abuse and police abuse," the Committee added.
Experts have also documented the serious problems faced by unaccompanied minors passing through France en route to the UK. They receive no support from the protection system and live in extremely unsafe conditions.
Some minors were left in airport waiting areas or other temporary detention centers while crossing the border when their identity or right to entry was in doubt. The committee described the deprivation of liberty of such children as "disproportionate and therefore arbitrary," adding that it was detrimental to their mental health.
France has violated its obligations
While there is no official, comprehensive data on the number of child victims, CRC members stressed that the problem is widespread and long-standing, spreading across the country, including Paris and major border cities.
The committee concluded that France had violated its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to the experts' statement, "a large number of unaccompanied migrant minors suffered serious harm and long-term consequences for their physical and mental health and development."
They also found the violations to be systematic, noting "repeated instances of failure by the State party to implement legal, policy, and other measures to protect unaccompanied migrant minors living on the streets, in tents, and in temporary camps." France, for example, "systematically denied these children protection services, depriving them of access to adequate living conditions and basic services."
Following its investigation, the Committee previously made a number of recommendations to France. These included granting a presumption of childhood to individuals claiming to be minors and guaranteeing all such children access to housing, food, and water, so that no child, including those awaiting appeal, is forced to live on the street or in informal camps. France reported on the measures taken in response to the Committee's findings, including further implementation of Law No. 2022-140 on child protection and the adoption of regulations aimed at improving the placement and care of children deprived of a family environment.
Read also:
How the UN monitors compliance with key human rights treaties
The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is composed of 18 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by state parties. It also monitors compliance with the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.