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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.

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October 16, 2025 Peace and security

Venezuela sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council in connection with the escalation of the situation between the country and the United States, UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in response to journalists' questions at a UN briefing in New York.

Late last week, the Security Council held an emergency meeting at Venezuela's request amid reports of an expanding US military presence off the coast of South America.

On September 2, the US government announced that the US military had struck a vessel suspected of carrying drugs in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. Additional airstrikes against vessels suspected of carrying drugs were carried out on September 15, 16, and 19, as well as on October 3.

The UN Secretary-General "calls on both sides to reduce tensions, exercise restraint and resolve differences through peaceful means," UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča said at a Security Council meeting.

At a briefing on Thursday, Dujarric was also asked to comment on reports that US President Donald Trump has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela and is considering ground strikes against Venezuelan drug cartels. Dujarric said the UN is monitoring media reports and comments.

"I believe it is important for member states to maintain constructive engagement to resolve bilateral issues. Member states also need to ensure that their actions comply with international law, including the UN Charter," he said.

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October 16, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Secretary-General on the change of government in Madagascar, clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, World Food Day.

The situation in Gaza

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Deputy Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, while traveling from Cairo to Rafah, emphasized the importance of this route for delivering essential aid to Gaza. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that while the Rafah crossing is closed, organizations are forced to make a lengthy detour to deliver supplies from Egypt and undergo security checks on the Israeli side at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Fletcher emphasized the need to open all crossings, which, according to him, will allow for an expansion of the scale of aid and facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies.

Instability in Madagascar

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Strongly condemned the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and called for the restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law in the country. The UN chief called on all parties, including youth, to join forces to address the root causes of instability. He reaffirmed the Organization's commitment to supporting efforts to achieve this goal and noted the African Union's decision to immediately suspend Madagascar from all its bodies and institutions until constitutional order is restored.

Afghanistan and Pakistan

The UN Secretary-General is concerned by reports of armed clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. António Guterres welcomes the announcement temporary suspension of fire, and calls on the parties to agree on a lasting cessation of hostilities and engage in dialogue to protect civilians and prevent further casualties. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported receiving credible reports of more than 30 civilian deaths and hundreds of casualties, including women and children.

Food Day

In his address on the occasion of World Food DayOn World Food Day, celebrated on October 16, the UN Secretary-General called for international solidarity in the fight against hunger and strengthening food security. According to the UN chief, despite significant progress achieved over the past eight decades, 673 million people worldwide go to bed hungry. Even more live in insecurity due to food shortages. Progress in the fight against hunger has slowed, and in some regions, we are seeing setbacks.

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October 16, 2025 Humanitarian aid

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher headed to Rafah after his visit to Cairo. He noted the importance of this route for delivering aid to the Gaza Strip.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which Fletcher leads, reports that supplies from Egypt are still arriving via a bypass route and are being inspected on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Opening the Rafah crossing will ensure more timely delivery of aid. Fletcher emphasized the need to open all crossings to expand humanitarian operations.

Speaking to reporters in Cairo yesterday, he stressed that humanitarian organizations had been preparing for this moment and now need full access to deliver the necessary volumes of aid.

The humanitarian community will not be able to provide assistance on the scale required without cooperation with international NGOs, the UN also stated.

"The Israeli authorities are currently denying visas to a number of international NGOs and preventing many of them from sending supplies to the Gaza Strip. At the same time, humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip continue to make the most of the opportunities afforded them by the ceasefire," UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said at a press briefing in New York.

On Tuesday alone, UN partners distributed nearly 960,000 meals through 175 canteens, and UN-supported bakeries produced over 200,000 kilograms of bread. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) provided families in Gaza with over a million diapers. And three World Health Organization (WHO) trucks delivered medical supplies, including surgical ones, from their warehouse in Deir el-Balah to Gaza City.

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The Middle East: A Moment of Great, but Fragile, Hope

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that these will be donated to Al-Shifa Hospital and used to treat 10,000 people. WHO also deployed an international emergency medical team to strengthen orthopedic surgery and trauma care in Gaza. WHO teams have opened two new operating rooms in Gaza and plan to add an additional 120 beds to Al-Shifa Hospital.

OCHA reports that teams from various UN agencies have completed clearing the main roads leading to the Erez and Zikim crossings in the north of the Strip.

"Today our teams are checking the Salah ad-Din road, which has not been used for several months," Dujarric said.

The UN also continues to deliver supplies, including flour, food parcels and personal hygiene items, to the Kisufim and Kerem Shalom crossings.

Staff from several UN agencies visited the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, which was severely damaged by the recent military operation. Residents are attempting to return to their homes and clearing debris.

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