Protection forRefugee Boys, Girls, and

Adolescents and Applicants for Refugee StatusMarcos Ezequiel Filardi

Arrival of unaccompanied or separated boys, girls, and adolescents to ArgentinaInstitutional guardianshipAssistance by UNHCR/Civil Society

Relevant Background

To take on the guardianship, legal representation, and accompaniment of unaccompanied or separated boys, girls, and adolescents – refugees and applicants for refugee status

Objectives of the Best Practice or Successful Experience

Unaccompanied or separated boys, girls, and adolescents – refugees and applicants for refugee status

Oriented Toward

2007 - todayBeginning and End

Mission The Committee for the Comprehensive Assistance and Protection of Refugees and Applicants for Refugee Status was established in 2007 by Dr Stella Maris Martínez, General Ombudsman of the Nation, to take on the guardianship, legal representation, and accompaniment of unaccompanied or separated boys, girls, and adolescents applying for refugee status in the Republic of Argentina.

Since then, the Committee seeks to protect and guarantee each and every human right of the persons assisted by the Committee.

Accompaniment

Legal Representation

Guardianship

Numbers, by Year

Year Number

2001 3

2002 0

2003 4

2004 14

2005 17

2006 15

2007 47

2008 42

2009 31

2010 48

2011 33

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

30

4

14 1715

47

42

31

48

33

Countries of Origin

Buenos AiresRosario

HAITI

COLOMBIA

SENEGAL

GUINEA

SIERRA LEONE

GHANA

IVORY COAST

NIGERIA

CAMEROON

LIBERIA

BANGLADESH

GUINEA BISSAUINDIA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

BY SEA

BY AIR

Stowaways

The journey lasts 17-21 days.

They hide in the winch receptacle, the space above the rudder blade, the engines of the cranes on board, the

storeroom, or the engine room.

The vast majority of African nationals arrive as stowaways on cargo ships.

They only carry gari (mandioca meal), water, condensed milk, and sugar with them.

An undetermined number of them die during the journey.

Comprehensive assistance in terms of legal representation, health, education, housing, food, preparing for employment, and developing a life

project.

Actions Implemented

On-going intermediation

Method Used

Responsibility

Focus or Central Themes

On-going accompaniment

Inter-disciplinary teamwork

An on-going participative assessment

Open-door offices

An inter-disciplinary accompanying team

Legal Representation

Accompaniment

The Right to Health

The Right to Education

The Right to Employment

The Right toAppropriate Nutrition

Right to adequate housing

The Right to Recreation

The Right to Family Unification

The Right to Identity Documents

The Right to Non-Discrimination

The Right to Legal Protection

Inter-institutional Protocol

Operates within the framework of the Public Ministry of Defence (MPD): operationally

independent from the other powersSustainability

Tools for improving integration at a local levelEmpowerment and Impact

Mainly State institutionsInvolved Actors and Participation

Using social dialogue as a strategy

Approach to Address the Problem of Child Labour and its Root Causes

Of the assisted population, 96% are menIncorporating a Gender Approach

The importance of responsible officers from autonomous institutions

The need for inter-disciplinary work

Coordination between State institutions, United Nations agencies, and civil society organizations

Participative assessment as a key element in designing and executing programmes

Developing and implementing protocols for action

Key Lessons Learned in Designing and Implementing this Best Practice

Information available on CD and on the website

Inter-institutional protocol

Internal protocol for action

A book to be presented in September 2012 at the 5-year anniversary of the Committee

References: Best Practices

Thank you