Department of European, Public and International Law

Research contributes to child-oriented justice in asylum appeals

kindgerichte rechtzaal (large view)

(29-04-2026) Council for Alien Law Litigation structurally embeds a child-centred hearing room, alongside adapted summons and training, building on UGent research and input from young people.

Following a positive evaluation, the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) has decided to permanently implement the child-friendly hearing room “Room M”.
The design and layout of the room were based on the experiences and feedback of young refugees who had themselves been heard by the asylum judge.

 

This room is intended for unaccompanied minors who lodge an appeal against a negative decision on their application for international protection.
From now on, any judge may use this room in such cases. Due to practical constraints, such as available space and the number of cases, minors may still be heard in a regular hearing room.
The judge decides on a case-by-case basis which room is most appropriate.

 

In addition, all unaccompanied minors who are required to appear before the Council will now receive an adapted summons letter, tailored to their age.
This letter includes a link to an informational video available in seven languages. The video was developed in collaboration with young people, the Council, researchers and filmmakers, and helps minors better understand what to expect during the procedure.

 

Both initiatives stem from the doctoral research of Sara Lembrechts (Migration Law Research Group, Ghent University), in collaboration with Ellen Van Vooren and the Council for Alien Law Litigation.

 

Steps have also been taken in the area of training. Several judges followed an intensive course on children’s rights in a judicial context, as part of a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe on child-friendly justice.
In the coming months, these judges will share their knowledge with colleagues within the Council.

 

These initiatives illustrate how research can contribute to more child-oriented justice in practice.
They aim to better inform minors, strengthen their participation in proceedings, and ensure that their voices are meaningfully heard, in line with international children’s rights standards.

 

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