We mark the 20th June, World Refugee Day, with a feeling of a great uncertainty over the faith of a great number of migrants passing through our country, lacking protection from violence, discrimination, abuse, maltreatment and insults.

Unaccompanied child migrants are one of the most vulnerable groups. Misdemeanour courts in Serbia proceed upon charges against child migrants for illegal border-crossing, even though numerous international and European regulations state that children cannot be deprived of liberty only because of the lack of migratory status. Furthermore, there have been cases of breaching legal obligations by conducting procedures without the presence of a guardian or an interpreter.

Unaccompanied child migrants are forced to leave their homes, which is sufficient reason for being granted international protection. Regardless of the fact that most migrants do not wish to stay in Serbia, state bodies are obliged to ensure protection of their rights during their stay in our territory and to treat unaccompanied child migrants in accordance with the principle of the best interests of a child.