Refugee Council and Refugee and Migrant Justice call for immediate implementation of the measure
Charities have welcomed a pledge from the new coalition Government to end the detention of children for immigration purposes.
Ms. Caroline Slocock, Chief Executive of Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) said: “We are delighted at the decision to end child detention for immigration purposes and applaud the new Government for recognising the inhumanity of this practice - which treats children like criminals when they have done no crime and can leave scars for life. We hope that this will be implemented immediately and that whatever measures brought in to replace detention will put the welfare and safety of these children first.
“We hope that this change of policy will also extend to migrant children currently being imprisoned in this country due to disputes about their age. In all cases, children should be given the benefit of the doubt rather than running the risk of locking up children with adults.
RMJ also appealed to the new Government “to review inhumane practices toward migrant Children” as highlighted in their report “Safe at Last”.
The report revealed that “exhausted and often unwell children are being interviewed on record on arrival at Dover, without legal representation and without regard to their welfare needs.”
The Government’s commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes was also welcomed by the Refugee Council. Ms. Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said: "This is very welcome news. We have been campaigning to end this abhorrent policy for years, and are delighted that it is one of the outcomes of the new coalition government. It must be implemented without delay, and in such a way that ensures families are kept together.
"We hope too that the coalition Government can reach further agreement on a fairer, more humane and more effective asylum system that has the safety of refugees at its heart."
