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The Syrian Refugee Crisis; the Impact on Syrian Children …………… P.24 ΕΡΕΥΝΗΤΙΚΕΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΕΣ ΕΔΡΑ UNESCO ΔΙΑΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΙΚΗΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΓΙΑ ΜΙΑ ΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΛΗΛΕΓΓΥΑ ΙΘΑΓΕΝΕΙΑ 3 Syrian Refugee Children On The Move Legal status and socio-political perspectives; the case of Greece Efthymia D. Papadopoulou, MA in International Public Administration University of Macedonia 2016 Syrian Refugee Children On The Move Legal status and socio-political perspectives; the case of Greece Efthymia D. Papadopoulou Department of International Relations and European Studies A dissertation submitted for the degree of Master’s in International Public Administration at the University of Macedonia Supervisor: Associate Professor NikolaosZaikos Thessaloniki April, 2020 I hereby declare, that all the data used in this work, have been obtained and processed according to the rules of the academic ethics as well as the laws that govern research and intellectual property. I also declare that, according to the above mentioned rules, I quote and refer to the sources of all the data used and not constituting the product of my own original work. Papadopoulou D. Efthymia Acknowledgments This Thesis became a reality with the kind support and help of several individuals to whom I would like to extend my sincere thanks to. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude towards my family for the encouragement and immense support, not only in completion of this Paper but also throughout the years of my academic studies and life-learning journey. I am forever grateful for the love of my always present mother, Margie, and my father, Dimitris. I am, also, wholeheartedly thankful for my wonderful sister, Georgia, who always stands by my side and celebrates all my life accomplishments as if they were her own. Furthermore, I would like to communicate my heartiest gratitude and genuine appreciation to Mr. NikolaosZaikos, my Supervising Professor, and Associate Professor in the Department of Balkan, Slavic & Oriental Studies of UoM, for his ceaseless guidance and advice. Finally, I would like to declare my respect and thanks to the Faculty of the MA in International Public Administration, of the Department of International and European Studies at UoM, for the shared knowledge throughout the graduate program. i Abstract After nine years of conflict, the Syrian crisis continues to have a huge impact on children inside Syria, across the region and beyond.Grave violations of children’s rights describe the ongoing crisis not only as a humanitarian and displacement crisis, but first and foremost, as the largest protection crisis of the 21st century. Since the start of the conflict in 2011, millions of Syrian children, either with their families or even alone, have chosen perilous journeysin search of a haven of protection, dignity and mostly hope. While millions sought refuge in neighboring countries, numerous souls have crossed the turbulent waters of the Aegean Sea into the shores of Europe to seek asylum. And while the arduous journeys have proven lethal for too many Syrian children On The Move, for those reaching frontline EU countries dealing with the refugee crisis, such as Greece, overcrowded RICs, long asylum procedures, lack of information, limited access to protection, healthcare and education services are the harsh reality many boys and girlsface upon arrival. The aim of this Paper is to give the reader the opportunity to virtually travel along with Syrian children On The Move on their journey from the beginning until reaching the Greek shores and,thus, fully develop an understanding of their harrowing journeys. Moreover, another purpose of this research is to present the timeline of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, and the response of the European Union and of the United Nations since the outbreak of the conflict. Furthermore, this Paper particularly examines the case study of Syrian children refugees in Greece and provides answers regarding their rights, and the sociopolitical perspectives that determine their integration. Finally, the reader may find suggestions as to what further actions are deemed necessary by the international, regional and national nexusas to reassure that Syrian refugee children in the EU, and in Greece in specific, may fully enjoy their rights as children and as refugees to the fullest, as set forth in the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Key Words:Child, Child On The Move, Refugee, Child Refugee, Unaccompanied Refugee, Refugee Crisis, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Syrian Refugee,Greece, Legal Status, Political Perspectives, Social Perspectives, International Law, Greek Law, INGOs, NGOs ii Table of Contents Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………p. i Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………… p. ii Lists of Abbreviations &Acronyms………………………………………………....p. 1 List of Figures ……………………………………………………………………….. p. 3 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………. p. 4 Chapter 1: The Refugee Status under International Law ………………………… p. 9 1.1 Definition of a refugee in international law; word on relevant terms ………….….p.9 1.2: Refugee Children and their Rights under International Law……………………… p. 13 1.2.1 Adolescent Refugees …………………………………………………………….. p. 18 1.2.2 Unaccompanied Refugee Children ……………………………………………… p.19 1.3 The child’s refugee claim and determination of refugee status ……………………. p. 22 Chapter 2: The Syrian Refugee Crisis; the impact on Syrian children …………… p.24 2.1 The Syrian Crisis and the Response of Key International Actors; The timeline……p.24 2.2 The impact of the conflict on Syrian children………………………………………p.36 2.3 Syrian Children On The Move……………………………………………………...p.38 2.3.1 Syrian Children On The Move: Seeking refuge in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt………………………………………………………………………………. p.38 2.3.2 Syrian Children On The Move: Seeking refuge in Europe………………………………………………………………………………….. p.42 2.3.2.1 Legal frameworks to protect the rights of children refugees in Europe ……….. p.53 Chapter 3: Legal Status of Children Refugees in Greece; the case of Syrian Children Refugees ………………………………………………. p.56 3.1 Legal frameworks to protect the rights of children refugees in Greece ……………p.56 3.1.1 Unaccompanied children refugees in Greece ………………………….………… p. 67 3.1.2 Family Reunification …………………………………………………………….. p.70 3.2 Syrian Refugees in Greece and the impact of the Refugee Crisis on the country …. p.73 3.3 Syrian Children Refugees in Greece: Legal Status, Rights and Protection under International Law ………………………………………………………………………. p. 84 3.3.1 The Response & Role of the EU, UN Agencies, INGOs & NGOs ………………. p.88 Chapter 4: The Socio-Political Perspectives in Greece for Syrian Children Refugees ………………………………………………………………………………………… p.105 4.1 The Socio-Political mapping of Greece since the escalation of the refugee crisis (2015- 2019); the Overview …………………………………………………………………… p.105 4.2 Syrian children refugees in the Greek society ………………………………………………………………………………………….p. 111 4.2.1 How Greek Media shaped the Greek society’s opinion on Syrian children refugees ………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.111 4.2.2 Awareness raising initiatives for the rights of children refugees in Greece ……... p. 116 Chapter 5: Human Interest Story (HIS); the life of a Syrian Refugee child in an Open Accommodation Site in Greece ……………………………………………………… p.120 Conclusions …………………………………………………………………………….. p.123 Appendix ……………………………………………………………………..………… p.131 Sources ………………………………………………………………………………… p. 141 Primary Sources ………………………………………………………………………... p.141 Bibliography & Journal Articles ……………………………………………………….. p. 143 List of Abbreviations &Acronyms AMIF Asylum Migration and Integration Fund BIA Best Interests Assessment BID Best Interests Determination CEAS Common European Asylum System CoE Council of Europe CFS Child Friendly Spaces CFSH Child and Family Support Hubs CRC Convention for the Rights of the Child EASO European Asylum Support Office EKKA National Centre for Social Solidarity - Greece ENOC European Network of Ombudspersons for Children ESI Emergency Support Instrument ESTIA Emergency Support to Integration & Accommodation - EU funded programme EU European Union EUROSTAT European Statistical Office FRA European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights FRONTEX European Border and Coast Guard Agency GBV Gender-Based Violence GSGE General Secretariat for Gender Equality - Greece HIS Human Interest Story HRC Hellenic Red Cross ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent IFRC International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IOM International Organization for Migration IS Islamic State 1 ISF Internal Security Fund IYCF Infant and Young Child Feeding NFE Non-Formal Education OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights PD Presidential Decree – Greece PSMHS Psychosocial and Mental Health Support RAO Regional Asylum Office RAU Regional Asylum Unit RFL Restoring Family Links RIC Reception and Identification Center SIL Supported Independent Living UASC Unaccompanied and Separated Children UMC Unaccompanied Migrant Children UN United Nations UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNSC United Nations Security Council USA United States of America WASH Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene WHO World Health Organization 2 List of Figures Figure 1: The Syrian Crisis Snapshot Figure 2: Registered Syrian refugees in Middle East countries (June 2019) Figure 3: Refugees and asylum-seekers in Europe by country of destination (2015) Figure 4: Sea arrivals of registered refugees in Europe (January-July
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