In a joint press release on 31 July 2025, member-organisations of the Child Rights Advocacy Network (CRAN) expressed their concerns regarding the proposed bill of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, especially with regards to the return of children. The press releases underlines that any reform should safeguard the rights of children irrespective of their nationality or legal status, as foreseen in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
According to the joint press release, the possibility of detaining minors for an indefinite period, without an explicit obligation to seek alternative measures to detention (art. 18), the absence of an explicit exemption of children from the criminal liability of “irregular” residence or from the cost of a subsequent application, are contrary to the best interests of the child. The hearing of the child before the issuance of decisions concerning her/him (such as return, art. 11), the press release continues, is not sufficiently ensured. At the same time, article 15 limits access to education pending return only to the compulsory level, excluding children who are – as is often the case – attending high school and the continuation of their education is not ensured when the parents are subject to the burdensome measure of return.
Apart from the press release, CRAN member-organisations submitted their comments through the official website for public consultation on the new bill.