Currently, a major topic in the field of Children’s Rights is the rights of unaccompanied minors who are migrating to Europe. Teens are migrating quite rapidly in hopes of building a future for themselves.
In the course Children at the Heart of Human Rights, we explored what the responsibilities are of host states and what rights these youths are entitled to. We had the opportunity to visit a housing center that was designed for unaccompanied minors in central Geneva. It was built out of shipping containers and we had the chance to see the outdoor areas, the main classroom, where youths have the option to take classes, and an empty apartment. There are four bedrooms each with two sets of bunk beds so a single apartment could house up to 16 youths. There is only one entrance and exit to the facility and all people on campus, including visitors, staff, and residents are required to leave their ID with the front security staff while on site. Residents are allowed to come and go as they please, although their comings and goings are monitored by the center. This level of monitoring by the state is at first glance, inappropriate, but this is a typical responsibility of a parent and with the state taking on some parental responsibilities, I’m torn. The other factor that was rather looming, but not pictured, is the fact that the entire compound is fenced with barbed wire, so there is absolutely no way in or out without going out the main door. I am glad that migrating youths have the option to live in a place like this, which offers the chance to build community and also provides some education, but I wonder if there is a way to do it without the barbed wire.
apartment kitchen 
hallway to bedrooms 
apartment kitchen 