Target: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker
Goal: Applaud announcement of more housing resources for unaccompanied child refugees.
Unaccompanied child refugees in Greece will finally receive housing help that they so desperately need through a new emergency fund worth $130 million. This funding will be used to create 1,500 places for unaccompanied child refugees to live, so they have an opportunity to escape the unacceptable housing conditions they often face. Thanks in part to this petition on ForceChange and other protests and petitions, these children will have an opportunity for a better life.
According to a recent report released by Human Rights Watch, unaccompanied child refugees landing in Greece often face months of detention in ‘protective custody,’ while authorities attempt to find space in shelters. The children are allegedly routinely held in unacceptable conditions – cramped cells, police stations, and alongside unrelated adults. This makes them vulnerable to abuse. Outside of custody, however, is no safer. Europol, Europe’s criminal intelligence agency, estimates that 10,000 refugee children have gone missing, likely abducted by human traffickers and other criminal organizations.
This funding will ensure that child refugees have a safe place to live, learn, and build their lives. Sign our petition and applaud this announcement.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Juncker,
I was pleased to hear the announcement of more funding to tackle the issue of the treatment of unaccompanied child refugees. As I am sure you know, the recent Human Rights Watch reports regarding these children revealed troubling deficiencies in Greek policies. Hundreds have been held for months in cramped cells, often alongside unrelated adults in a system that calls itself ‘protective’ but in practice can only be damaging. I applaud your allocation of €115 million to help alleviate this problem.
There are hundreds of unaccompanied refugee children without a space in the Greek shelter system and more arrive every day. Thank you for allocating funds to protect these children and provide housing for them. Aside from shelter, children need access to education, healthcare, and counseling, and I hope that more efforts are put forth to provide these children with the skills needed for a successful future. Thank you for all you’ve done for refugee children. Please continue to provide and support refugee youth.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Maximilian V
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