Children's rights Living conditions in the asylum sector endanger the well-being of children

The well-being and development of children and adolescents receiving emergency assistance in the Swiss asylum system are at risk. This is the finding of a study commissioned by the Federal Commission on Migration (FCM).

The living conditions of the children concerned are not compatible with the Swiss Federal Constitution and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The physical, mental and social development as well as the health of these children are not sufficiently protected, the FCM announced on Monday.

According to the study, the poor mental health of the children and young people concerned is particularly worrying. In collective accommodation, they are exposed to traumatizing experiences such as violence, suicides or forced deportation.

In some cases, they live with their whole family in a single room and have no place to retreat. Isolation, a lack of prospects and powerlessness affect their psychosocial development and mental health.

SDA