Summary:

On the occasion of the Universal Day of Children's Rights, the Commissioner appealed to governments and local authorities to take into account the particular vulnerability of children within the migration process.

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[STRASBOURG, 19 November 2006] - On the occasion of Universal Children's Day, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, appeals to governments and local authorities to take into account the particular vulnerability of children within the migration process.
 
"Children of irregular migrants demand particular attention," the Commissioner said. "International human rights standards such as the European Convention on Human Rights or the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are applicable to all children regardless of their migration status."
 
"Migrant children have a right to housing, to healthcare and to education. It can be difficult for children to enjoy these rights in practice, because of the fear that they will be reported to the authorities and expelled from the respective country."
 
"I am particularly concerned about situations where children are prevented from going to school or seeing a doctor. Governments need to re-examine the obligation put on certain authorities to denounce those in an irregular situation."
 
The Commissioner reminds central and local authorities of the principle of upholding the best interests of the child – which should be a major consideration in all decisions affecting them.

Read more about Universal Children's Day 2006

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Contact Information:

Email: commissioner@coe.int

Last updated 18/01/2007 06:22:05

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