
Law No. 4554 of 18 July 2018, published in State Gazette no. 130, defines the regulatory framework for the guardianship of unaccompanied minors. Under the framework, appointed guardians will have responsibilities related to the integration of unaccompanied minors.
According to the new law, a guardian will be appointed to an alien or stateless person under the age of 18 who arrives in Greece without being accompanied by a relative or non-relative exercising parental guardianship or custody. The law sets out the terms for the appointment and replacement of a Guardianship Commissioner for Unaccompanied Minors as well as the creation and functions of a Supervisory Guardianship Board.
Under Article 18 of the new law, the Guardianship Commissioner for Unaccompanied Minors has responsibilities relevant to the integration of unaccompanied minors, which include:
- ensuring decent accommodation in special reception structures for unaccompanied minors;
- representing and assisting the minor in all judicial and administrative procedures;
- accompanying the minor to clinics or hospitals;
- guaranteeing that the minor is safe during their stay in the country;
- ensuring that legal assistance and interpretation services are provided to the minor;
- providing access to psychological support and health care when needed;
- taking care of enrolling the minor in formal or non-formal education;
- taking necessary steps to assign custody of the minor to an appropriate family (foster family), in accordance with the applicable legal provisions;
- ensuring that the minor's political, philosophical and religious beliefs are respected and freely expressed and developed;
- behaving with sympathy and respect to the unaccompanied minor.
The law also creates the Supervisory Guardianship Board, which will be responsible for ensuring legal protection for unaccompanied minors with respect to disabilities, religious beliefs and custody issues. Additionally, the law establishes the Department for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors at the National Center for Social Solidarity, which will have the responsibility of guaranteeing safe accommodation for unaccompanied minors and evaluating the quality of services provided in those accommodations.
Details
- Authors
- Government of Greece
- Geographic area
- Greece
- Contributor type
- National governmental actor
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