The American organization “Save the Children” has published an extensive study on the grave dangers faced by children as they travel along migration routes, especially between Sudan, Egypt, and Libya to Greece and the West Balkans. The study is based on field interviews with children and experts conducted between February and October of last year.
The study explained that the closure of the border between Egypt and Sudan in May 2024 has pushed many children — including unaccompanied minors — to take extremely dangerous routes through Libya to reach Greece. This occurs amid a near-complete absence of safe and regular pathways to Europe, forcing them to rely on smugglers and exposing them to exploitation and violence.
The study confirmed that all children interviewed had experienced severe violence, extortion, sexual exploitation, and arbitrary detention during their time in Libya. It revealed that many were held in warehouses or containers for months under the control of armed men or smugglers. Some were also forced into labor to repay debts owed to smugglers.
The study conveyed testimonies from children aged 15 to 17, who spoke of being beaten, denied food, and deprived of bathing throughout their detention. One recounted being forced to work under the threat of deportation, while another confirmed living for months in harsh conditions without adequate food or water and being subjected to repeated assaults.
According to experts cited in the study, many children arrive in Greece suffering from severe psychological trauma, malnutrition, and skin infections, in addition to the effects of sexual exploitation and violence. Four of the children confirmed that smugglers and armed men had complete control over their movements and demanded ransom or forced labor from them.
The study stressed the need for the European Union and its member states to commit to protecting children’s rights in the context of migration management, emphasizing that the detention of children should be a rare exception and for the shortest possible duration. It called for strengthening asylum and reception systems and including measurable child rights standards in all agreements with third countries.
The study proposed establishing an independent oversight committee under the “European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights” to verify compliance before disbursing financial support to partner countries. It also suggested that in the event of violations, funds should be redirected to neutral entities specializing in child protection and humanitarian organizations working on the ground.
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