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, Save the Children said, including on the suspensive effect of appeals.
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 Save the Children 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, Save the Children 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, Save the Children has launched a campaign - Stand up for Every Child – involving Save the Children 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.
Luz Larosa, 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.”
Isla Ramos, 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 Fatarella, 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.”
Florian Westphal, 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.”
Pim Kraan, 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.”
Gabriela Alexandrescu, CEO Save the Children Romania, said:
“We are deeply concerned about the devastating consequences that the new EU Return Regulation could have for children’s safety and future. No migration policy can be legitimate if it reduces children to mere administrative case files. Member States have a duty to ensure that every child is heard, protected and supported, without detention, family separation or decisions that sacrifice their future in the name of border control. The European Union upholds its values only when it places children’s rights above all borders.”
Save the Children 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.
Save the Children 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
Save the Children 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.
The organisation is inviting people across Europe to join the call by sharing, in their own words, why children's rights matter and by using the hashtag #StandUpForEveryChild.
In the end, this is about children and their rights
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