|
Let Children be Children
London, 8
November 2002
In accordance to UNHCR's guidelines special protection should be granted
to a refugee child or to a child seeking refugee status. It is a commonly
accepted fact that the State has an obligation to work towards that end.
As far as UNHCR is
concerned it is the State's obligation to protect children from any form
of discrimination and to take positive action to promote their rights. Eritreans
for Human and Democratic Rights - UK (EHDR-UK) calls upon the government
of Malta to do all it can to implement the rights contained in the Convention
on the Rights of the Child. Eritrean
children in Malta who are seeking asylum with their parents are the most
vulnerable ones from the group. Since observing that all rights apply to
all children without exception is a universally accepted trend, EHDR-UK
expects UNHCR to look into the detention and exclusion of Eritrean
children in Maltese detention camps.
EHDR-UK is calling on the Government of Malta to treat refugee children
as children first and foremost and to place their rights at the heart of the
asylum policy. By this EHDR-UK means that:
· Eritrean children in Maltese detention camps should be allowed to enjoy
their rights as children.
· They should not be detained.
· They should have access to full-time and mainstream education.
The Eritrean children in Maltese detention have a right to education.
EHDR-UK
|
