Unaccompanied foreign minors arriving
in Italy must be accommodated in dedicated facilities that are
separate from adults, the Ombudsman for Childhood and
Adolescence Carla Garlatti said on Wednesday.
"Unaccompanied foreign minors must absolutely be kept separate
from adults, they must not be mixed with older people even
temporarily, it is serious that this should happen because there
is a 'contamination' that is harmful to minors," Garlatti told
reporters after presenting to parliament of her office's 2022
report.
Her comments came after it emerged on Tuesday that a new draft
decree on migrants due to come before cabinet on Wednesday
provides for the reception of minors aged 16 and over in "a
dedicated section" in ordinary facilities for adults "in the
event of temporary unavailability of accommodation facilities
for migrant minors" for a period "not exceeding 90 days".
Under current rules set out in the 2017 so-called Zampa law on
the protection of unaccompanied foreign minors, they should
always be accommodated in dedicated facilities providing the
specialised services and protection that they need and are
eligible for by law.
"Minors are still under development and they must have access to
education centres that are dedicated totally to them," added
Garlatti.
Photo: Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Ombudsman for Childhood
and Adolescence Carla Garlatti.
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