Factsheet - Vulnerable populations during COVID-19 response - Children and adolescents deprived of liberty (June 2020)

Children and adolescents deprived of liberty in the context of the COVID-19 response in the WHO European Region

Key principles

• Any response should be consistent with best evidence and ensure that children are involved.
• Basic human rights of children must not be breached; isolation in response to COVID-19 should not be used as solitary confinement or punishment.
• Detention should be recognized as harmful to children’s health and development, and that there is an ongoing need to invest in alternative measures to formal judicial proceedings.