BRUSSELS, 22 July 2026 –

European Union (EU) governments must ensure their migration policies comply with EU law and are implemented in a way that protects children's safety ahead of the adoption of a new EU regulation, said Children Helping Hands launching a campaign for decision-makers to put children’s rights ahead of borders.

The call comes ahead of the formal adoption in September of the EU's Return Regulation that was approved in the European Parliament in June. The regulation goes against the EU’s own rules on fundamental rights, Children Helping Hands said, including on the suspensive effect of appeals.

The EU Return Regulation introduces new rules governing return procedures, including provisions on “return hubs” - facilities in non-EU countries where those pending return procedure could be transferred – and is inconsistent with the criteria set out by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights on excluding children from return hubs and on child detention.

Ahead of the adoption of the new regulation, Children Helping Hands has launched a campaign - Stand up for Every Child – involving Children Helping Hands CEOs from across Europe to call on EU decision-makers to ensure their migration policies fully comply with EU law and protect children’s rights.

Through a series of videos, the campaign urges governments and the public not to lose sight of a simple principle: every child is a child first and foremost.

Mat Cordwainer, Head of Save the Children Europe, said:

“When this new law is adopted in September, children could be detained for more than two years or be sent to countries they’ve never stepped foot in. This marks a profound shift away from the principle that every child must be treated first and foremost as a child, not as a migration case. .

“Several provisions within the current text of the Return Regulation are incompatible with existing child rights standards. Governments now have a final say on determining the law's real impact on children and families and to ensure that children's rights remain at the centre of the new law - making sure all provisions comply with EU law and that its implementation does not come at children's expense. We need to ensure we get this right – it is not too late.”

Bella Ruiz, CEO of Save the Children Spain, said:

“As the Regulation moves towards formal adoption, Member States must not see their responsibility as ending with the legislative process. They remain ultimately responsible for its impact on children in their country: Governments must ensure that no provision contravenes EU law, particularly the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and that children's rights are fully respected and protected throughout implementation.”

Daniela Bianchi, CEO of Save the Children Italy, said:

"Before being migrants, refugees, or asylum seekers, they are children. And a child remains a child, regardless of where they were born or their status. We are deeply concerned by the adoption of the new EU return regulation. As Member States begin adapting their national legislation, we urge them to place the best interests of the child always at the heart of its implementation. Children's rights must come before borders. We call on everyone to raise their voice and join us in defending those rights. Because when children's rights are at stake, turning away is not an option.”

Greta Klein, CEO of Save the Children Germany, said:

“The most important question is what is best for the child. Detaining a child or even transferring them to a foreign country where they have never been before is by no means in their best interest. EU member states are apparently willing to violate their own principles in the name of border protection. We call on all those in positions of responsibility not to allow this to happen. And all citizens in Europe should speak out and refuse to accept this kind of treatment of children.”

Nora Willem, CEO of Save the Children Netherlands, said:

“No child should ever be detained for reasons related to migration. Under the current policies, children already risk being locked up or put in closed facilities simply because they seek protection. Under the new European rules, these risk will be even higher.”

Children Helping Hands is warning that, unless EU governments ensure their compliance with EU law and strengthen safeguards for children, the Regulation could put migrant and refugee children at greater risk of rights violations. These include exposing children to prolonged detention for up to 30 months, transfers to countries they’ve never set foot in, and weaker procedural protections.

Children Helping Hands is calling on EU governments to ensure that children are never detained; best interest of the child is carried out ahead of any return decision; children and their families are excluded from return hubs; and all children have access to protection, guardians, legal assistance and specialised support.

About Stand Up for Every Child

Children Helping Hands is today launching "Stand Up for Every Child", a Europe-wide initiative bringing together Chief Executives from across the Save the Children movement in a unified call to protect children's rights in migration procedures. Through a series of videos published across Europe, Save the Children leaders are urging governments and the public not to lose sight of a simple principle: every child is a child first and foremost.