Easing plight of child migrants fleeing Central America requires ‘compassionate solutions’ – Ban
16 July 2014
Deeply concerned by the “urgent humanitarian situation” of unaccompanied child migrants from Central America,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for Governments of countries where the children start, continue or finish
their journeys, to protect their dignity and human rights.
“Unaccompanied minors, including those under seven years of age, are making this dangerous journey, often relying on
unscrupulous human smuggling networks that expose them to harm, exploitation and abuse,” Mr. Ban said in a message to
the Conference on Unaccompanied Child Migrants, in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa.
The message was delivered by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Consuelo Vidal, on behalf of Mr. Ban, who is
currently wrapping-up a visit to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
In addition to the UN and Honduras, the two-day international conference, which kicked of today, includes
representatives from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States, as well as the Organization of American
States (OAS).
According to information from the Honduran officials, there were 2,700 Honduran migrant children in the United States
last September. By June of this year, there were more than 13,000. In all, an estimated 52,000 children were caught
crossing the United States border since October, most of them from Central America, based on figures in media reports.
Last year, the UN held a high-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development to identify concrete measures to
strengthen cooperation and enhance the benefits of international migration for migrants and countries, while reducing
its negative implications.
In its unanimously adopted declaration document, the 193 Member States “reaffirmed the need to promote and protect
effectively the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migration status, especially
those of women and children.”
Citing this passage, Mr. Ban issued a plea for compassionate and comprehensive ways to ease the plight of child
migrants: “I therefore call upon the Governments of the countries concerned, whether of origin, transit or destination,
to urgently protect the human rights of migrant children, most importantly their life and physical integrity as laid out
in relevant international legal standards.”
Raising concerns about human trafficking of minors, Mr. Ban called for the sensitizing both parents and children about
the dangers of “irregular, un-planned migration” and about relying too often on inaccurate claims and information.
He also noted the importance of better understanding and addressing the root causes behind the current phenomenon.
Poverty and inequality are longstanding issues in the region, he said, but we need to also grapple with insecurity and
the role of criminal groups thriving in contexts of weak institutions, poor rule of law and impunity.
“Leaders from Central America have drawn repeated attention to this security challenge and have requested international
support,” Mr. Ban said in his message. “We must all recognize that we have a vested interest in providing such support.”
As the plight of unaccompanied minors from Central America arriving at the US border continues to spark debate, the UN
Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recently issued its latest report,Children on the Run, which unveils the humanitarian impact of
the situation by analyzing the reasons that 404 unaccompanied children gave to a team of researchers for why they left
their homes. The report also makes recommendations for a way forward.
Just last week, the agency expressed concern over the rising number of children and families leaving their home
countries in Central America and urged all countries in the region to adopt a robust humanitarian response that is based
on fundamental protection principles. This response, UNHCR said, should include efforts to address the root causes of
this movement; to prevent and respond to human trafficking; and to meet the needs of those children who may be victims
of persecution or torture.
“We recognize the enormous challenges facing the US and other countries as a result of this large movement of people,”
said Shelly Pitterman, UNHCR’s Regional Representative in the United States. “We’re witnessing a complex situation in
which children are leaving home for a variety of reasons, including poverty, the desire to join family, and the growing
influence of trafficking networks.”
And as indicated in the UNHCR study, within this movement there re also children who are fleeing situations of violence
at the hands of transnational organized criminal groups and powerful local gangs.
UNHCR therefore urged a comprehensive response aimed at preventing the need for such movement and addressing the best
interests of the children who have already left. Development agencies, human rights actors, and donor Governments must
help the countries of Central America analyze and address the poverty, lawlessness, and other factors that force people
to seek a better life or to escape harm. At the same time, children who have been trafficked or who fear persecution or
torture need to be given the opportunity to tell their stories and have their best interests determined.
“Those fleeing violence and persecution,” said Ms. Pitterman, “will require access to asylum determination procedures
and will need long-term protection. Others will be able to return home and should be assisted with re-integration.”
ENDS