EASO Practical guide on the best interests of the child in asylum procedures

A child’s best interests must be assessed and taken into account as a primary consideration in all actions or decisions that concern him or her. However, at present, most EU+ States do not have an established process for implementing this legal obligation within asylum systems. In a communication to the European Parliament and the Council of 12 April 2017, the EU Commission called upon EU agencies to further develop guidance and tools on the best interests of the child. The validated findings of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) mapping on international protection procedures for children, have confirmed the need for guidance as to how to practically implement giving primary consideration to the best interests of the child.