The importance of documentation for the protection of unaccompanied and separated migrant children and the realisation of access to socio-economic rights: An assessment of the participation and roles of stakeholders

Abstract

This paper reports on the findings of a study on the importance of documentation for unaccompanied separated migrant children on South African soil. The objectives of the study is to identify what the international and national laws and policies state about protecting children’s rights, particularly, their socio-economic rights, in the context of irregular migration. Their rights to have legal documentation, their right to education as well as health care, among others. Most importantly, the paper attempts to gain an understanding of the role and obligations of South African stakeholders in terms of the requirements of documentation and the implementation of the relevant laws and policies. To understand what the relevant stakeholders such as NGO’s, DE, Health, DSD and DHA do to protect USMC’s socio-economic rights. Their right to documentation, their right to education, to health care, to the justice system and child protection systems.