Guidelines on Policies and Procedures in Dealing with Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum

In February 1997, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees released these guidelines for unaccompanied children seeking asylum. The purpose of this note is three-fold: to promote awareness of special needs of unaccompanied children and the rights reflected in the Convention on the Rights of the Child; to highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach; and to stimulate discussions in each country on how to develop principles and practices that will ensure that needs of unaccompanied children are being met.