Global rights groups call for reforms in Italy’s reception of migrant minors
A three-year study by Save the Children and UNHCR has highlighted significant challenges in the reception system for unaccompanied migrant minors in Italy, while proposing improvements to better protect their rights.
The project, titled Voluntary Guardianship, Age Assessment, and Psychological Support: Steps Beyond, examined key administrative processes, including age verification and the assignment of guardians, and identified areas requiring urgent reform.
One of the report’s key findings was a shortage of volunteer guardians for unaccompanied minors. This issue has left existing guardians overburdened, particularly in regions such as Sicily and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, which serve as major entry points for irregular migration. The study also highlighted regulatory setbacks introduced in 2023 and 2024, which have further strained the reception system.
The report raised concerns about placing minors aged 16 and above in facilities meant for adults, citing a potential violation of international standards, criticizing the lack of uniformity in age assessment procedures, despite the introduction of a national protocol in 2020. Techniques such as radiography and anthropometric measurements were identified as invasive and disrespectful to the dignity and rights of minors.
Input from unaccompanied minors themselves revealed issues such as bureaucratic errors during identification processes and a lack of psychological support. The study emphasized that preserving the dignity of children and ensuring compliance with international standards must remain central to Italy’s migration policies.
The findings call for closer cooperation among government bodies, international organizations, and civil society to address these challenges. Strengthening the volunteer guardian system, standardizing age verification methods, and ensuring suitable living arrangements for all minors are among the key recommendations outlined in the report.
