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| Iranian immigrants in camps for immigrants in Albania (archive) |
Albania has become a springboard for immigrants coming from Arab countries, especially from conflict zones like Syria. Moroccans, Syrians or Kurds have invaded Albanian cities, especially Tirana, Durrës and other border areas. But among them there are also many children between the ages of 13 and 17.
According to police, 36 children, most of whom came to Albania from Syria and Iran, have gone missing in the last six months.
According to Altin Hazizaj, a representative of the Center for Children's Rights in Albania, unaccompanied children are at risk of being trafficked for sexual purposes, being sold into slavery, or even being sold as organs. The Albanian authorities are tasked with ensuring the physical safety, protection, and growth of these children, local media reports.
"These are young people who come from places like Iran and Syria. Slavery, organ trafficking, and other forms of sexual trafficking are all possibilities for unaccompanied children. Because they are in Albania, the Albanian authorities are compelled to take care of their physical safety, protection, and growth. However, the fact of the matter is that they have vanished and their location is unknown. Hazizaj stated, "their collaborators have failed to protect these children's lives and well-being."