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Luxembourg’s Refugee Collective (LFR) has issued a statement following the eviction of a mother and her two young children, on Wednesday 22 January 2025, from a shelter managed by the National Reception Office (ONA).
The Refugee Collective emphasised that Luxembourg has an obligation to respect the principles set out in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by the country in 1993, stating that “whatever the administrative situation of this family, whatever their status, children cannot sleep on the street, even less so in winter. Let us remember that the best Interests of the child, as provided for in Article 3 of the said convention, must be considered as a matter of primary importance”.
The Refugee Collective also referenced a recent case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which orders EU Member States to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of persons in an irregular situation as long as their removal from the territory is not possible. This includes basic needs such as food, washing or housing.
The statement also discussed the principle underlying the Winteraction initiative (WAK) which they stated allows any homeless person to be welcomed unconditionally, describing its aim as protecting the most deprived from death by hypothermia during the coldest months. The Refugee Collective expressed its dissatisfaction at the tightening of the conditions of access to this emergency accommodation. The statement added that this type of accommodation, like the return home (accommodating people in an irregular administrative situation), must not be regarded as a solution for Luxembourg’s housing obligations.
Chronicle.lu reached out to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees for comment and await a response.