Children in migration: fundamental rights at European borders (2023)

Joint note by the Council of Europe and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Council of Europe (CoE) and European Union (EU) Member States have an undeniable sovereign right to control the entry of non-nationals into their territory. While carrying out border control, states have a duty to protect fundamental rights of all people under their jurisdiction, regardless of their nationality, status, or age. Children as a category of vulnerable persons with special needs require heightened protection.This joint note of the Council of Europe and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights summarises some key safeguards of European law as they apply to children in the context of migration at the EU’s external borders, bearing in mind that the relevant CoE standards apply to all borders.