MASTER THESIS Titel der Master Thesis / Title of the Master‘s Thesis „When all Hope is Lost - A Thesis about Unaccompanied Minors who go Missing in Norway “ verfasst von / submitted by Helle Sanden angestrebter akademischer Grad / in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (MA) Wien, 2017 / Vienna 2017 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt / A 992 884 Postgraduate programme code as it appears on the student record sheet: Universitätslehrgang lt. Studienblatt / Human Rights Postgraduate programme as it appears on the student record sheet: Betreut von / Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Manfred Nowak, LL.M. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 General Description of the Research Context ................................................................................................ 1 1.1.2 Research Questions ................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1.3 Terminology ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1.4 Delimitations ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1.5 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.1.6 Literature Review on Missing Asylum-Seeking Children .......................................................................... 5 1.1.7 Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 2: UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN IN TRANSIT .................................................................... 9 2.1.1 Forced Migration ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1.2 Child Trafficking ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.3 Afghanistan ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 2.2 MISSING UNACCOMPANIED MINORS ........................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 The European Context ........................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.2 The Norwegian Context ........................................................................................................................................ 16 2.2.3 Who are these Children? ....................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.4 Nationality .................................................................................................................................................................. 19 2.2.5 Gender .......................................................................................................................................................................... 20 2.2.6 Age Group ................................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.7 Summary ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER 3: HUMAN RIGHTS FRAMEWORK RELEVANT TO ASYLUM-SEEKING CHILDREN 23 3.1 INTERNATIONAL LAW .................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1 Regional instruments: The Council of Europe ............................................................................................. 25 3.1.2 The European Union .............................................................................................................................................. 27 3.2 DOMESTIC LAW IN NORWAY ......................................................................................................................................... 27 3.2.1 Summary ..................................................................................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................... 29 4.1 RESEARCH APPROACH .................................................................................................................................................... 29 4.1.2 Sampling and Collection Method ...................................................................................................................... 30 4.1.3 Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................................................................... 31 4.1.4 Shortcomings and Challenges ............................................................................................................................ 32 4.1.5 Data Analysis Method ............................................................................................................................................ 33 4.1.6 Illustration .................................................................................................................................................................. 34 4.1.7 Explanation of Categories ................................................................................................................................... 35 4.1.8 Interpretation of the Results from the Qualitative Research ............................................................... 36 4.1.9 Summary ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36 CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH FINDINGS - TIGHTENING ASYLUM POLICIES AS A PUSH FACTOR?36 5.1 DO WE KNOW WHY UNACCOMPANIED MINORS ARE GOING MISSING? .............................................................. 37 5.2 THE POLICY OF THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT ........................................................................................... 40 5.2.1 The Issue ...................................................................................................................................................................... 40 5.2.2 Statements from Informants .............................................................................................................................. 41 5.2.3 Laws and Regulations ........................................................................................................................................... 42 5.2.4 Main actors ................................................................................................................................................................ 43 5.2.5 Long Term Stay in a Reception Centre ........................................................................................................... 43 5.2.6 Analysis of Data ........................................................................................................................................................ 44 5.2.7 Criticism Towards the Policy .............................................................................................................................. 46 5.2.9 Critical analysis – Immigration Control Vs. The Best Interest of the Child .................................... 48 5.2.10 Critical Analysis – In the Best Interest of the Child - the UDI or the CWS Responsibility? .... 53 5.3 THE AGE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................................ 57 5.3.1 The Issue ...................................................................................................................................................................... 57 5.3.2 Statements from Informants .............................................................................................................................. 58 5.3.3 International Standards and Domestic Law ............................................................................................... 58 5.3.4 Main Actors ................................................................................................................................................................ 59 5.3.5 The Age Assessment Procedure ......................................................................................................................... 59 5.3.6 Analysis of Data ........................................................................................................................................................ 61 5.3.7 Criticism Towards the Age Assessment Procedures