Irregular migration and criminalization of migrants, protection of children in the migration process and the right to housing and health of migrants 2011, para. 29
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Children on the move are migrant children taking an active part in the migration process, particularly at the passage and arrival stages in countries of transit and destination. They may be found migrating with their family members or independently, to seek opportunities for both education and employment. Children may also be forcibly on the move, such as when falling prey to transnational organized crime and exploitation networks. Unaccompanied and separated children on the move faced greater vulnerabilities and risks, including discrimination, sexual and other forms of violence. Frequent human rights issues affecting children on the move also included deportation and repatriation. Children should be repatriated only if it is in their best interest, namely, for the purpose of family reunification and after due process of law. Another major concern related to the particular vulnerability of children who were unaccompanied, undocumented and/or entering countries irregularly, including within mixed migratory flows, to unlawful or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
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Non-negotiated soft law
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Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants