Following the VEGA joint operation with Frontex and UNHCR, AMBER Alert Europe calls on the European Commission and European Member States to improve the protection of children at risk at EU external borders.
AMBER Alert Europe calls on European Member States and the European Commission to:
- Make a best effort to immediately enter endangered missing children in the Schengen Information System (SIS II)
- Actively inform border guards about endangered missing children and AMBER Alerts issued by law enforcement agencies
Raising awareness
Raising awareness and providing border guards with practical guidance is essential to protect children that may be at serious risk of for example trafficking, smuggling and abduction. AMBER Alert Europe and Frontex are actively cooperating with border guards on the VEGA children project, a training program and handbook for border guards.
Involvement in VEGA joint operation
The VEGA joint operation is organised by Frontex, the agency for securing EU external borders, and UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency. The goal of the operation is to provide border guards with practical guidance. Mr. Charlie Hedges, coordinator of AMBER Alert Europe’s Police Network on Missing Children, is involved in the VEGA joint operation to share his knowledge and expertise with border guards.