International Legal Mechanisms for the Protection of Children Who Migrate through Irregular Means

Abstract

This article analyses the international legal protection of children who migrate in an irregular manner, treating them as an especially vulnerable group in contemporary migration flows. It outlines the main concepts and categories of migrant children and the risks they face, then examines the key international treaties, UN resolutions, and the roles of UNHCR and UNICEF in ensuring their rights, while noting persistent gaps between legal standards and practice that call for stronger, child‑sensitive migration policies.