Germany to welcome 350 to 500 migrant minors

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Between 350 and 500 unaccompanied minor migrants in unsanitary camps on Greek islands will be hosted in Germany. A European initiative was launched in early March by the European Commission for the care of 1,600 children. A dozen countries support this approach, slowed down by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced it on Wednesday April 8 on N-TV. The country will welcome between 350 and 500 unaccompanied migrant children " in the coming weeks ", in accordance with a commitment made after an initiative launched by the European Commission. After Luxembourg, which has announced the imminent transfer of twelve minors to its soil, Germany will welcome 50 of them " at first ".

" A drop of water ", " an alibi ", " a capitulation to the far right ": the reactions of the opposition, NGOs or the media are negative after this announcement. Some point out that repatriating 200,000 Germans or bringing 40,000 seasonal workers from abroad to harvest asparagus is easier than hosting a few dozen refugee minors. Earlier this week, 50 Conservative MPs asked that Germany make a move for these migrant children. German regions and cities are ready to welcome them but cannot do anything without a green light from the federal government.

► Also read: The coronavirus, a vector of anti-migrant propaganda

Germany and Luxembourg want to convince other European countries to do the same

These 350 to 500 migrant minors, who are in insanitary camps on Greek islands , will be distributed between the different German regions after two weeks of quarantine, due to the coronavirus pandemic . The global health situation had brought this subject to the background.

From the outset, Germany did not want to go it alone and tried to convince other European countries to welcome other young migrants. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: “ We are, with Luxembourg, the only ones at the moment to be always ready to welcome children. "

France, Portugal, Finland, Lithuania, Croatia, Ireland, Belgium and Bulgaria have expressed their intention to respond to this Brussels initiative. Germany hopes to send a new signal with the imminent reception of these 50 migrant children.

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• Germany
• Coronavirus
• Rights of the child
• International Migration

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