MINORS IN MIGRATION CRISIS: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TO PROTECTION FROM ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION

Anastasia Atabekova
Prof. Dr. Sc. In Comparative Linguistics, Juris Doctor in Criminal Proceedings,
Russian Federation, aaatabekova@gmail.com

Abstract
The paper explores focuses on the minors’ protection within the forced migration development towards and across Europe. The phenomenon is under scrutinized study within various areas, ranging from political solutions to social response and tools.

The research aims to analyze major challenges and provide preliminary solutions to minors’ protection from abuse and exploitation within the contexts of increasing migration across Europe.

The research methodology rests on the comparative analysis of national legislations and national government bodies’ reports in respect to issues under study.

The research materials included the special report of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse on the Convention. This report elaborates on the Lanzarote Convention Committee opinions regarding the situation with the protection of minors affected by the migration crises during 2015 and 2016. The report accumulates the data of the monitoring round of the national practices related to the protection of refugee children in the Member States (Urgent monitoring round 2016). The research findings confirmed that such topics as minors’ age identification procedure, special training for professionals engaged in working with refugee children, forms of   support for refugee children deserve particular attention.

The comparative analysis also allowed us to specify a number of promising legislative and enforcement practices regarding refugee minors’ support.

The author of the paper in her capacity of the Russian delegation member has taken part in the activities of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse during 2015-2017.

The research was implemented within the framework of the RUDN university participation in the Russia-wide 5-100 project. The paper theme and research findings were specified in line with the RUDN research project ? 201211-1-074 under the Russian ministry of education grant support in 2017.

Keywords: Migration Crises, Minors' rights, children's abuse and exploitation, Lanzarote Convention