International Detention Coalition - Universal Children’s Day: NGOs Urge Action around Detained Migrant Children

Universal Children’s Day: NGOs Urge Action around Detained Migrant Children

US press statement

Universal Children’s Day: NGOs Urge Action around Detained Migrant Children

On November 20th, Universal Children’s Day, more than 120 US-based non-governmental organizations and advocates working to protect children issued a Call to Action to the U.S. and the international community to end the practice of detaining migrant children and ensure that these children receive the necessary care and services.

“Many of these children are unaccompanied by a parent or guardian,” according to Richard Parkins, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries and Chair of Refugee Council USA. “They may have fled to escape persecution, trafficking, gang violence or family abuse, and they need urgent protection.

The Call to Action details specific steps the Administration and Congress should take to protect migrant children. Alternatives to detention programs should be fully funded so that the detention of migrant children and families with children is a measure of last resort and only for the most exceptional circumstances.

The Department of Homeland Security should immediately transfer unaccompanied migrant children to the care of the Department of Health and Human Services, and children in immigration detention or custody should receive legal services as well as education, medical and mental health care.

The statement also calls on the United States to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child—an important human rights treaty that has been signed by every country but the U.S. and Somalia.

“The U.S. should be a model for the international community on the protection of migrant children”, said Andrea Black, Executive Director of Detention Watch Network. “We urge our government to act now to fully protect these most vulnerable children.”

CONTACT:
Elizabeth Campbell/ Director, Refugee Council USA, Tel: (202) 541-5402

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