Organizations call on chief of staff for measures to protect unaccompanied venezuelan children and adolescents

The increasing arrival of unaccompanied children and adolescents ought to receive special attention, as determined by Brazil’s Child and Adolescent Statute

Venezuelan migrants set up camp on an old concert stage in the city of Pacaraima (Roraima).

The organizations Conectas Human Rights, Alana Institute, Cidade Escola Aprendiz, Human Rights Watch and Missão Paz are watching with concern how the Brazilian State has received Venezuelans adolescents who arrive unaccompanied in the northern state of Roraima. The phenomenon of the migration of unaccompanied children and adolescents poses a significant challenge, since it comprises an extremely vulnerable population group.

In spite of Brazil’s efforts to implement measures to receive Venezuelans, whether through Operação Acolhida (Operation Welcome) or the recent issuance of refugee status to more than 21,000 people from the neighboring country, the public authorities have presented inadequate and insufficient solutions to the problem of children and adolescents who are here looking for protection, including some serious violations of the Child and Adolescent Statute.

The aforementioned organizations requested, on November 13, 2019, a hearing with the Office of the Chief of Staff, since it chairs the Federal Committee created to address the flow of Venezuelans into Brazil. The request for a hearing states that the agenda to be addressed will include an examination of the temporary solutions applied to date and a discussion of the measures that they should be taking, particularly after Public Civil Action No. 0828765-38.2019.8.23.0010. The hearing will take place on December 11, 2019, with the presence of representatives of Conectas, Alana, Aprendiz and Human Rights Watch and representatives of the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Citizenship and the UN agencies UNICEF and UNHCR.