Journal article

Publication details

The Best Interests of the Child in EU Family Reunification Law: A Plea for More Guidance on the Role of Article 24(2) Charter
in journal: European Journal of Migration and Law

Volume number:
Issue number:
Release year: 2017
Page range:

Author(s) details

Mark Klaassen

Peter Rodrigues

Publication description

Link to the publication on the Publisher’s catalogue
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15718166-12340007
Keywords:
Child Refugees, family reunification, children migrants, Child rights
Abstract:
The best interests of the child should be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children. This cornerstone of international children’s rights has been codified in Article 24(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In EU family reunification law, the best interests of the child are mentioned in Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification. However, in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, this concept is not systematically applied in the various types of family reunification cases. In this contribution it is argued that, although the contexts of family reunification cases may be different, from the perspective of the diverse international obligations of the Member States, it would be preferable if the Court systematically involved the best interests of the child concept in all family reunification cases.