BORDER and JOURNEY EXPERIENCE of UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION in TURKEY
Öz
The purpose of this research is to investigate the border and journey experiences of unaccompanied children under international protection in Turkey. Unaccompanied children migrate on similar routes with different or similar motivations. They migrate with different people on these journeys. These journeys pose different dangers and risks from the beginning to the end. Therefore, the research focuses on the process from the beginning of the migration of unaccompanied children to their arrival in Turkey. This process is examined through the lenses of the conceptual framework of mixed migration.
In order to conduct the research, a semi-structured in-depth interview is employed as a research method, while the snowball method was utilized to reach the ex-minors. In total, 14 people were interviewed. Of these, 8 are ex-minors (currently over 18 years old but previously unaccompanied children). 5 of them are those working with unaccompanied children in the field of civil society. One person works in migration management.
Unaccompanied children generally migrate irregularly. Most of them are men. Their ages at the time of their arrival to Turkey are differs between 11-17, but most of them are 15-17. Their motivations are different from each other. The reasons are economic, war, conflict, family strategy, and career development. The routes that they use are similar. Unaccompanied children face risks such as sexual and physical violence, hunger, deprivation of hygiene, long walks, obscurity, detention and death during their migration journey and at the border.
Anahtar Kelimeler
International Protection, Mixed Migration, Turkey, Unaccompanied Children
Kaynakça
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