NEW YORK - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is raising concern over the growing number of Afghan children making a difficult and dangerous overland journey to Europe seeking better opportunities.

UNHCR says more than 5,900 Afghan children, mostly boys, sought asylum in Europe last year, compared to 3,380 in 2008. Research by UNHCR on unaccompanied Afghan children in Europe says the children often travel without their parents, exposing them to dangers and human rights abuses.

The report says the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, widespread poverty, political instability; poor educational prospects and a declining hope for a brighter future are all fuelling the flows.

"The children face shocking hardships along the way, but feel an obligation to their families to continue their journey" says UNHCR's Director for Europe Judith Kumin. "As a result, they are victimized over and over again."

The UNHCR study notes that Afghan youth arriving in Europe do not always receive the support they need forcing many to remain in the hands of smugglers, who entice them to continue their journey. Large numbers of Afghan boys are among the inhabitants of makeshift settlements in places like Calais in France and Patras in Greece.

UNHCR says Afghanistan appears to have turned a blind eye to the trafficking of children and is calling for more action in the country to ensure that parents and families are made aware of the risks of putting their children in the hands of people smugglers.

Website: UNHCR in Afghanistan

UN News Centre