In resolution 45/30 the Human Rights Council decided to focus its next annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child (2022) on the theme “the rights of the child and family reunification”. It further requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on that theme, in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, with a view to providing information for the meeting.
The Office of the High Commissioner would be grateful to receive any relevant information for the preparation of this report in relation to the following questions:
1. What are the main human rights concerns affecting children separated from their families, and the priorities to strengthen global and national frameworks for the prevention of family separation?
2. A. How can the right to family life be upheld for children in cross-border situations, particularly migrant children who are separated from their families (taking into consideration Article 10 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child)? B. How can the best interests of children separated from their families in cross-border situations, in particular migrant children, be more effectively upheld without discrimination?
3. A. What are the main human rights concerns for children living in conflict, children in detention or whose parents are detained, or children allegedly associated with terrorism or terrorist groups, regarding their right to be reunited with their families? B. How can the best interests of children separated from their families in these situations be more effectively upheld without discrimination?
4. What are the main gaps and strategic priorities to strengthen international cooperation on upholding the rights of children in cross-border situations who are separated from their families?
The OHCHR would be grateful to receive any information to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (United Nations Office at Geneva, CH 1211 Geneva 10; e-mail: OHCHRregistry@un.org) no later than 31 October 2021.
We kindly request that submissions be concise and limited to a maximum of 5 pages, submitted in MS Word format. Unless otherwise requested, all submissions will be made publicly available on the OHCHR website.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Gina Bergh at gina.bergh@un.org if you have any questions.
Thank you for your valued interest and engagement on this matter.
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