Children have the right to be informed in an age-appropriate manner and to express their views in all procedures that affect them. Child representation makes participation a reality and guarantees children's rights and procedural rights. It provides an opportunity to integrate children's views more fully into proceedings and decision-making processes. In cross-border cases, ISS Switzerland provides professional and interculturally sensitive child representation for the German-speaking cantons.
Our specialist child representation lawyer works with our interdisciplinary team to ensure that children are represented in legal and administrative proceedings. We attach paramount importance to a child-centred approach, encouraging children to express their views freely, defend their rights and understand their situation. In dialogue with children, we encourage the development of their opinions, provide them with information appropriate to their age and situation, and defend their interests, whether in the context of family law, migration law or more specifically in transnational procedures.
ISS Switzerland also provides legal assistance to all unaccompanied foreign minors in the canton of Geneva, on behalf of the Child Protection Office or the Courts.
Our lawyer specialising in migration law represents the interests of unaccompanied minors before the competent migration authorities in appeals against refusals of asylum, repatriation or revocation of provisional admission. He submits applications for residence permits or family reunification on their behalf. He also provides information and advice to the guardians of the children concerned.
In 2016, the asylum application of Asma*, an Eritrean girl who fled to Switzerland at the age of 11, was rejected. Following an appeal by ISS Switzerland, which highlighted the risk of her family being persecuted, Asma was granted asylum in 2018. Her guardian then approached us to take the necessary steps to reunite Asma and her mother, as the girl was suffering badly from the long separation. After an initial refusal, the authorities agreed to grant Asma's mother an entry and residence permit for Switzerland, in application of the European Convention on Human Rights.
*fictional name