HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FOR VULNERABLE ASYLUM APPLICANTS

The Portuguese asylum application process for the unaccompanied minors 7 Meanwhile, in the event that an applicant is denied asylum that does not entrain the cessation of foster care as the child’s best interest is the priority in that case and oth- er types of documentation shall be examined. In Portugal, compared to other Euro- pean Union countries, the representation of unaccompanied minors in the group of asylum seekers is not very demonstrative. According to Estoura & Roberto (2019), between the years 2008 and 2012, about seven unaccompanied minors applied for asylum each year in Portugal. Since 2008, it is no surprise that the highest numbers have been recorded between 2013 and 2015 22 , as CACR was inaugurated in May of 2012. During 2012-2019 based on statistical data published by the SEF 23 , the CPR 24 and the Asylum Information Database - AIDA 25 it is evident that SEF and CPR’s infor- mation differ; last year alone, 2019, CPR reported 78 unaccompanied minors, while the SEF’s data for the same year declare just 55. AIDA (2019) attributes this distinction to the fact that the SEF and the CPR apply different identification criteria and age as- sessment procedures. Moreover, different registration practices may also contribute to this 26 . At this point, it is also worth mentioning CPR’s data concerning the number of unaccompanied minors that proved to be adults following the age assessment procedure. Though unfortunately, corresponding data isn’t available for all the afore- 22. SEF. (2018). Relatório de Imigração . 23. SEF. (2018). Relatório de Imigração . 24. CPR. (2012). Pedidos de Asilo em Portugal – 2012 . Retrieved from: http://cpr.pt/publicacoes/pedi dos-de-asilo-em-portugal-2012/. CPR. (2013). Pedidos de Asilo em Portugal – 2013 . Retrieved from: http://cpr.pt/publicacoes/pedi dos-de-asilo-em-portugal-2013. CPR. (2014). Pedidos de Asilo em Portugal – 2014 . Retrieved from: http://cpr.pt/publicacoes/pedi dos-de-asilo-em-portugal-2014. CPR. (2015). Pedidos de Asilo em Portugal – 2015 . Retrieved from: http://cpr.pt/publicacoes/pedi dos-de-asilo-em-portugal-2015. CPR. (2016). Relatório de Atividades 2016 . Retrieved from: http://cpr.pt/wp-content/uploads/2019 /04/RelatorioCPR2016.pd. CPR. (2017). Relatório de Atividades 2017 . Retrieved from: http://cpr.pt/wp-content/uploads/2019 /01/CPR_Relatorio_2017_Web.pd. CPR. (2018). Relatório de Atividades 2018 . Retrieved from: http://cpr.pt/wp-content/uploads/2019 /04/CPR_Relatorio_2018_web.pdf. 25. AIDA. (2016). Asylum Information Database, national report: Portugal 2016 . Retrieved from: http:// www.asylumineurope.org/sites/default/files/report-download/aida_pt.pdf. AIDA. (2017). Asylum Information Database, national report: Portugal 2017 . Retrieved from: http:// www.asylumineurope.org/sites/default/files/report-download/aida_pt_2017update.pdf. AIDA. (2018). Asylum Information Database, national report: Portugal 2018 . Retrieved from: http:// www.asylumineurope.org/sites/default/files/report-download/aida_pt_2018update.pdf. AIDA. (2019). Asylum Information Database . 26. AIDA. (2019). Asylum Information Database .