In response to the government’s announcement that they will ratify the Council of Europe convention against Trafficking, which includes a review of the reservation on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:

“As well as the announcement that the government has begun the ratification process of the Convention against Trafficking, we are particularly pleased to hear that they are planning to review the current reservation on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is pretty appalling that the government is still allowed to breach children’s rights for the sake of immigration control. Children who are the subject of immigration control are often among the most vulnerable, some here without their parents or anyone to look after them.

“All children should be treated equally while they are here. The reservation is unnecessary and sends out the wrong message. Asylum seeking children are children first and foremost and should be treated as such.”

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