Syrian refugee children's participation rights: From war to resettlement in the United States of America

Abstract

Background: The Syrian war started over a decade ago. Yet there is a lack of research on the participation rights of displaced Syrian children as they migrate to, and resettle in, the United States of America (US). This paper addresses the gap by presenting a qualitative study on this topic. In accordance with Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which demands States to consider children's views in decision-making processes, this study uses data obtained from professionals who work with refugees in Washington to explore the implementation of child participation rights in US immigration systems. As the US is the only country that has not ratified the CRC, the findings will help to elucidate the significance of ratification of the treaty into domestic law. Method: An exploratory design was incorporated to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. This involved conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with nine professionals who were asked to speak about their work with Syrian children, any barriers to hearing the children's views, and ways to enhance child participation. Applying the principles of grounded theory, the transcripts were analysed using an inductive, methodical coding process. Results: The results found that unaccompanied children have opportunities to express their views. Conversely, many barriers prevent accompanied children from having a voice. This included Syrian perceptions on the role of women and children, lack of resources and training, and lack of legal representation. Conclusions: Resources provided by the US Government are insufficient to meet the needs of refugee children. The government and civil society can better promote Syrian children's participation rights by aligning domestic policies with international standards, increasing access to legal representation, developing child-focused programs, and improving staff training.