Migri condemned for children’s treatment in family tie interview

The Deputy Ombudsman of the country condemned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration services (Migri) for their inadequacies during the interview of the children while processing the residence permit applications on the basis of family ties, national broadcaster Yle reported.

Deputy Ombudsman Maija Sakslin on Thursday released a report where Sakslin also strongly criticized the officials of the Foreign Ministry and immigration services for the process of interviewing underage applicants in family reunification cases.

Sakslin said that even small children have been interviewed without presence of a family member or other legal guardian, said the Yle report, adding that the Deputy Ombudsman said in some cases interviewers have not been competent.

Sakslin said that based on her review of the practices in place, she could not guarantee that children's rights and interests are safeguarded in the interviews.

"Diplomatic missions have been questioning underprivileged children, whereas they should be seeking information from guardians or other legal representatives," said the Yle report quoting Sakslin.