Lampedusa humanitarian emergency in 2011: the case of unaccompanied migrant minors

The purporse of this paper is to highlight the situation of the unaccompanied foreign minors in the Italian legal system, paying special attention to the Lampedusa humanitarian emergency in 2011. The paper examines the legal measures regulating the status of unaccompanied foreign minors in the Italian legal system, in order to understand if they are efficient in giving protection and offering integration to these minors. The papers offers insights into the most vulnerable category of illegal immigrants

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to highlight the situation on the unaccompanied foreign minors in the Italian legal system, paying special attention to the Lampedusa humanitarian emergency in 2011. Design/methodology/ approach - The legal treatment of these subjects is on the borderline between two distinct sets of laws: those for minors, based on principles of protection and support; and those for immigrants based on public security and therefore inspired by principles of control and defense. For this reason the question of the legal treatment of unaccompanied foreign minors is a decidedly complex matter because it requires the assumption of a clear responsibility on the part of the host State that, in accordance with international conventions, must provide for the welfare of a child by ensuring a healthy development and securing their fundamental rights. Findings - The paper examines the legal measures regulating the status of unaccompanied foreign minors in the Italian legal system, in order to understand if they are efficient in giving protection and offering integration to these minors. Originality/value - The paper offers insights into the most vulnerable category of illegal immigrants. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.