Estonia knows two laws to ensure that unaccompanied minors are provided with a guardian by a court: the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens (art. 17) and the Family Law Act (art. 92). A guardianship authority proposes the appointment of a person as guardian. Guardianship is covered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and supported by local authorities. As far as known, also relatives could be appointed as a legal guardian in Estonia.
Unaccompanied minors are centrally accommodated in the so called “Illuka Reception Centre”.
Advise for guardians
Since the care for asylum seekers is arranged by the local authorities, guardians who assist an unaccompanied minor with a relative or family member in Estonia are adviced to get in touch with the Child Protection Organization in Estonia called MTÜ Lastekaitse Liit. This organization has a very broad network in Estonia and is in the position to either advise or refer a guardian to the competent authority.
Contact
MTÜ Lastekaitse Liit (Estonian Union of Child Welfare)
Endla 6-18
Tallinn 10142
Tel: 00372.6311128
Fax: 00372.6311735
Email: liit@lastekaitsellit.ee
Illuka Reception Center for Asylum Seekers
Illuka vald 41010 Jaama küla Illuka vald
Ida-Viru maakond
Tel: 00372.3354414
Fax: 00372.3354411
Email: ivv@ivv.ee