Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is pleased to
take the floor in today's debate in reference to the Secretary
General's Report (A/63/308) on "the Follow-up to the special
session of the General Assembly on Children".

In his Report the Secretary General concludes that "overall
progress in improving the protection of children has been mixed
since the special session. There has been considerable progress in
areas such as data gathering, birth registration and reduction of
child labour, and many countries are implementing plans to address
violence against children. Challenges persist however in several
other areas, including the use of children in armed conflict,
harmful traditional practices, trafficking and migration."

As a migration organization we would like to focus on this last
challenge. The movement of people across national borders is a
phenomenon increasingly relevant to global public policy. Yet,
although international migration affects millions of people all
over the world and has crucial social, economic and demographic
repercussions within and between States, adequate discussion of
children -related migration issues has not gained the same level of
interest than other migration issues. Even if the precise number of
children and adolescents who migrate worldwide is unknown,
statistics show that in some countries the percentage of young
people migrating can be as high as 50%. If the situation of
children left behind by one or both parents working abroad is taken
into account, the number of children affected by migration becomes
even more relevant. IOM is trying to advance this debate and has
just published a new study on international law and the protection
of migrant children.

Mr. Chairman,

Those who migrate, including children, migrate for many reasons:
to accompany family members; to work; to improve their personal
situations; or to explore the world. Despite the fact that research
suggests that children are very much involved with these diverse
migration processes, policy-makers have paid little attention to
the broad range of factors prompting children to move and the
specific challenges they face, including (i) children staying
behind in countries of origin; (ii) protection of unaccompanied
children on the move; and (iii) the situation of children in
countries of destination.

(i)    Children often stay behind in countries of
origin, while one or both parents migrate. While in many areas of
the migration phenomenon information and data is scarce, this is
particularly the case for children left behind in the countries of
origin. It is crucial that all relevant actors undertake further
studies to better understand the impact of migration processes on
the wellbeing and the enjoyment of human rights of the children
staying behind and share best practices in addressing their
situation.

(ii)    While some children stay behind in
countries of origin, others move – even unaccompanied.
Generally, the ability to migrate or travel legally without an
adult is quite limited for children, especially internationally.
This means that children migrating alone are more likely to do so
irregularly, increasing their risk of exploitation and abuse. It
has to be understood that migrant children, especially
unaccompanied, are more exposed to the worst forms of child labour.
In this regard the current human rights mechanisms might not be
sufficient, and it has to be considered whether migrant children,
particularly if they are unaccompanied, could not be further
protected through the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral
agreements based on existing international human rights norms and
standards. Furthermore, increased cooperation at the regional level
is essential to protect migrant children, especially unaccompanied,
including in matters of safe repatriation, fight against
trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse and smuggling and
assistance to victims. Besides legal measures, protection
programmes should include reproductive health awareness and
training to address psychological trauma.

(iii)    Further to the challenges children face
throughout the migratory journey, additional and different
challenges await them in the country of destination. Irrespective
of their migration status, host countries must protect and respect
the human rights of migrant children, including their right to
basic social services. Being aware of newly rising acts of
intolerance, racism and xenophobia around the world, host countries
ought to promote conditions that encourage better harmony,
tolerance and respect between migrants, asylum seekers and
refugees, and the rest of society. In addition, host countries may
consider regularisation as regular migration status facilitates
integration of migrant children in the communities of destination.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, let's remember that migrant children
should enjoy the same protection that national children enjoy when
they arrive in their country of destination.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.