Submitted by crinadmin on
[25 September 2007] - This provides some practical recommendations for the establishment and implementation of Best Interest Determinations (BID) mechanisms for separated children, based on the BID process in Guinea for Sierra Leonean separated children. In most refugee situations the majority of separated and unaccompanied children are reunified with their families. However, a number of children always remain for whom tracing is unsuccessful despite extensive and comprehensive efforts. It is for these children that formal Best Interest Determination (BID) procedures are implemented to safeguard their rights and identify the most appropriate durable solution (voluntary repatriation, local integration, resettlement) to ensure their overall well-being. The report is meant to build on and complement UNHCR's "Guidelines on Formal Determination of the Best Interests of the Child” (provisional release, May 2006), which serves as the primary methodological framework on formal Best Interest Determinations and Durable Solutions for unaccompanied and separated children. The report was written by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in close consultation with its partners in Guinea and within the sub-region (UNHCR, UNICEF, ICRC, and the Guinean Ministry of Social Affairs). The IRC also received feedback from UNHCR staff in Geneva.
Further information
pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/guinea.pdf