Justice and Consumers

As announced in the EU Strategy on the rights of the child, the Commission launched the EU Network for Children’s Rights on 31 March 2022. 23 Member States, 2 associated countries, FRA, UNICEF, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe attended that meeting. They notably discussed the protection of the rights of children fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, key deliverables of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child one year after its adoption, synergies with the Council of Europe’s new Strategy on the Rights of the Child. They also exchanged views on the future of the Network. Next meetings in its fully-fledged configuration will include representatives for civil society organisations.

To celebrate the first anniversary of the EU Strategy on Children's Rights , "the European Union’s Plan for Children’s Rights", a child-friendly version of the EU Strategy, is now available in every EU language. The short and the easy-to-read versions are adequate for every audience. Children themselves participated in designing this booklet, made in partnership with the Centre for Children’s Rights at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Centre brought together two groups of children and young people from two schools in Dublin, Ireland. They worked together to decide how to present key messages to children.

Guidelines on creating child friendly written documents and meetings remain available on line. A year ago, children participants called laws and policies to be child-friendly: "If it’s friendly for the adults, it should be friendly for the kids. And if it’s friendly for the kids, it will also be more friendly for the adults. Children are EU citizens too. Children will be more likely to accept and obey laws if they understand them. How else can children know what their government is supposed to be doing? All documents should be understandable to children because children deserve to know what their rights are, in a way that is suitable for them. Because understanding the world around you, and protecting yourself, is never a bad thing."

Since the unprovoked and unjustified Russian aggression against Ukraine, nearly 4.7 millions of people – half of them being children – have arrived in the EU in the space of weeks. The EU welcomes them on its territory. For the first time, the Temporary Protection Directive was activated to offer them quick assistance and a clear legal status. On 18 March 2022, the Commission presented its Operational guidelines to support Member States in applying the Temporary Protection Directive. They aim at helping those arriving to access their rights and the Member States to assume their new responsibilities. A dedicated chapter on children pays specific attention to the situation of unaccompanied and separated children, who need to be registered and given specialised care, with safeguards against any risks of trafficking. The Commission coordinates relocation efforts to transfer unaccompanied children to other Member States (via the Solidarity Platform). The Commission’s recommendations to strengthen the protection of children apply to all migrant children, irrespective of their status, taking into consideration the best interest of the child at any stage of the process. Children should also be provided child-friendly information, and their opinion be heard, and obstacles tackled in accessing their rights.

On 23 March 2022, the European Commission released the Communication on “Welcoming those fleeing war in Ukraine", complementing the Operational guidelines. This Communication outlines actions undertaken to support Member States. Beyond the immediate support provided in terms of assistance at the border, reception and civil protection, the EU is taking further steps. The objective is to help Member States ensure beneficiaries can effectively access their right to education, healthcare, accommodation and jobs. Children are a priority in EU support. Referring specifically the needs of children Vice-President Šuica, said: “Children make up around half of all arrivals since the beginning of the war. These children have suffered traumatising experiences and have seen their lives up-ended from one day to another. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that they are appropriately received and cared for, including children with disabilities. The immediate priority now is to offer these children a place where they can feel secure, and receive swift and indiscriminate, access to psychosocial support, healthcare, nutrition and education. Unaccompanied minors, children separated from their parents and orphaned children need to be immediately registered and supported by child protection services to prevent them from falling prey to trafficking and abuse. With this Communication, we are taking concrete actions in the best interests of these children, every step of the way''.

At the extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council of 28 March, the European Commission presented, in coordination with the French Presidency of the Council, a 10-Point Plan for stronger European coordination on welcoming people fleeing the war against Ukraine. The Commission together with the European Union Agency for Asylum will develop standard operating procedures and uniform guidance for the reception and support of children, including swift identification and registration in Member States of arrivals and destination, accommodation, transfers and prevention of trafficking. The Commission will also develop specific procedures for the transfer of unaccompanied minors.

The EU and its international partners are united in condemning Russia's aggression on Ukraine. We will provide support to those seeking shelter and we will help those looking for a safe way home. The EU will continue to offer strong political, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and impose hard-hitting sanctions against Russia and those complicit in the war. In a dedicated webpage, the EU provides practical information to assist those fleeing from the war.

All children from Ukraine arriving in the EU should have swift access to their rights, without discrimination, including the necessary psychological support, healthcare and access to education. The Commission is: supporting and funding access to psychosocial care and basic services; supporting the appropriate reception and care for orphans and children with disabilities; encouraging the implementation of the European Strategy on the Rights of the Child; working with international organisations to reunite families through family tracing programmes; supporting Member States, though the renewed Schengen Information System, in their work tackling child trafficking and abduction; preparing standard operating procedures for transfers of unaccompanied minors and other children with special needs to ensure protection from risks of abuse and trafficking.

On 8 March 2022, the European Commission released its proposal on EU-wide rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence. The proposed Directive, once adopted, will criminalise rape based on lack of consent, female genital mutilation and cyber violence, which includes: non-consensual sharing of intimate images; cyber stalking; cyber harassment; and cyber incitement to violence or hatred. The new rules will also strengthen victims' access to justice and encourage Member States to implement a one-stop shop mechanism, meaning that all support and protection services would be located in the same place. The proposal also calls for adequate and specialised protection and support, for instance, through free of charge helplines and rape crisis centres. It also provides for targeted support for groups with specific needs or at risk, including women fleeing armed conflict. Contributing to the EU Strategy on Children’s rights, this proposal notably aims at providing for specific safeguards for children victims of violence against women or of domestic violence. They will guarantee, for example, that children can easily report offences and are provided with safe places for with parent offenders, who have rights of access.

On 23 February 2022, the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The proposal aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour, including the prohibition of child labour, throughout global value chains. Companies play a key role in building a sustainable economy and society. They will be required to identify and, where necessary, prevent, end or mitigate adverse impacts of their activities on human rights, such as child labour, and on the environment. This proposal is especially relevant to uphold children's rights and consistent with the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, which commits the Union to a zero tolerance approach against child labour and to ensure that supply chains of EU companies are free of child labour.

The Council of Europe's Strategy for the Rights of the Child aims to guide the 46 member States of the Council of Europe in protecting and promoting the rights of the child in 2022-2027. It was officially launched at a high-level conference in Rome on 7-8 April. In close synergy with the EU Strategy, the Council of Europe’s new Strategy focuses on six priority areas: Freedom from violence for all children; equal opportunities and social inclusion for all children; access to and safe use of technologies for all children; child-friendly justice for all children; giving a voice to every child; children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations. It notably includes apriority on children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations. The devastating impact on children’s rights of Russia’ aggression against Ukraine was at the centre of discussions in Rome. The Commission welcomes this New Council of Europe’s Strategy, showing close synergies with the EU Strategy for the rights of the child. Both demonstrate a common endeavour to join forces to uphold children’s rights across the European continent in difficult times.

European Mental Health Week is a pan-European initiative that aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our everyday lives. Set up and run by Europe’s largest independent mental health NGO Mental Health Europe (MHE), the third edition of the European Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 9 May until 13 May 2022. This year’s theme, ‘Speak Up for Mental Health’ will shine the spotlight on youth mental health. In most European countries, mental health problems among young people (15–24-year-olds) have doubled the last two years as a consequence of the pandemic. Young people constitute an especially vulnerable group. Immediate action at European and national level is crucial to address the mental health needs of young people in Europe. Now, armed conflict in the European region has increased uncertainty and fear. This week-long online action is a chance for everyone and especially young people to speak up about all aspects of mental health, share personal stories of how to cope with difficulties in times of crisis and in general, and highlight the need for action.

Until 30 June 2022, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child invites young people from around the world to complete a questionnaire that will help shape the General Comment No. 26 (on Children’s Rights and the Environment with a Special Focus on Climate Change). This is the official UN guidance on what governments must do to uphold children’s rights and protect our planet. This consultation will help fill gaps in their current understanding of certain key issues and clarify difficult concepts (e.g. rights of future generations). Most importantly, it will integrate the voices of children and young people, as the most impacted by the issue.

The U-CARE (Unaccompanied Children in Alternative Residence) project is financed by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (2014-2020) and coordinated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Belgium. The U-CARE team organised hybrid thematic workshops on: Alternative Care Prototypes to support unaccompanied migrant children (UMC) in their transition to adulthood; foster care for younger UMC; and building capacity of professionals and foster carers of UMC. They gathered 100 stakeholders from more than 10 EU countries. Recordings of the workshops are available.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights publish the second edition of their Handbook on European law relating to the rights of the child. The Handbook is a comprehensive and practical guide to European law in the area of child rights and it aims to illustrate how European law and case law accommodate the specific interests and needs of children. This new publication covers topics such as: equality; economic, social, cultural and civic rights and freedoms; personal identity; family life; alternative care and adoption; migration and asylum; protection against violence and exploitation; personal data and consumer protection; children’s rights within criminal justice and alternative proceedings.

The Children and Youth Services Review has published an article on children’s understanding of privacy and data protection. Researchers from the University of Ghent have spoken to 83 children aged 9–12 years old in two public primary schools in the city of Ghent, Belgium. They gained insights on children’s everyday (online) activities and practices, as well as their understanding of and views on interpersonal and institutional privacy, the privacy management techniques they use and the rights they have. The findings of the participatory research with the children provided insight into children’s ideas and views about these issues. The article reports on a number of children’s recommendations on how exactly information about privacy and data protection should be provided to them.