Panel Proposal: 
Panel topic:
A new paradigm of forced migration: unaccompanied minors. Beyond immediate assistance and protection

Brief Description of the Panel

We seek original papers and presentations to better understand the effectiveness of the protection and reintegration policies in countries of origin, transit and destination focusing in particular in the case of forced migrant children. It can include papers on government policies, international policies, NGO policies and national and international actors working in the protection and (re)integration field of forced migrant children. 

Paper proposers might consider addressing the following topics:

    Forced migration resulting from violent non-state actors and other forms of violence affecting* children more directly or where children are the main target. For instance: criminal/gang related violence, sexual violence, forced recruitment, torture, threats,etc.
    Vulnerable children, unaccompanied children, separated children, children with disabilities, LGBTQI youth,etc.
    Weakness and challenges facing unaccompanied children in the international human rights system as well as refugee protection system and in the process of (re)integration.
    Refugee children integration
    Returned children/deported children/returned children
    Refugee status determination for unaccompanied children
    Integration policies for minors and the most vulnerables forced migrants
    The role of NGOs, international organizations, civil society and governmental actors in the protection and (re)integration of minors.
    Improving the protection and integration of the most vulnerable forced migrants
    Other proposals are welcome
 
*A non-international (or "internal") armed conflict refers to a situation of violence involving protracted armed confrontations between government forces and one or more organized armed groups, or between such groups themselves, arising on the territory of a State. (ICRC)

We currently have two paper proposals for the panel and we are seeking 2 more. If you have a paper proposal for this panel please send us your abstract by January 15th, 2016 to [log in to unmask]

Paper Abstract #1:  Increasing the Resilience and Protection of the Unaccompanied Children from Central America – Daniela Tort

The number of unaccompanied children arriving to the U.S-Mexico border has grown exponentially since 2009 reaching more than 68,000 children in 2014. This massive influx, pushed the US immigration system to its limits creating a tension between protection and preventions policies. The entire governmental apparatus seemingly has a directive based on the belief that the recently arrived children do not have claims to receive immigration relief and therefore should be deported as soon as possible. However, evidence shows that the majority of these children have already been exposed to physical, sexual and psychological violence, which makes them particularly vulnerable to the gaps in the system and to weak protection mechanisms. This paper examines the different dimensions of vulnerability and lack of protection that UAC face and the need of establishing coordinated resilience, protection and reintegration policies in the region.

Panel Abstract #2: “Child Migration and Gender: the Unaccompanied Migrant Children from the Northern Triangle Countries of Central America” – Ana-Laura Méndez

Child migration in Central America is an issue that has not been sufficiently explored. Unaccompanied child migration from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America to the United States was a completely invisible phenomenon before 2014. This paper explores the case of unaccompanied migrant children from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. It assesses specific protection needs of boys, girls and LGBTQI children all of whom are extremely vulnerable and are victims of human rights violations in their country of origin, transit and destination. It argues that unaccompanied migrant children must be considered refugees and that the international protection and integration system must be improved in order to address the specific needs of these minors, providing special attention to a comprehensive enforcement of the gender, age and diversity approach.
 
Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ana Laura Méndez-Araya
M.A. International Relations| Human Rights & Humanitarian Affairs
Fulbright Student Fellow
New York University
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