ISS UK is delighted that the government has decided to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in full

25th September 2008

For the past 17 years the UK has retained an opt-out allowing child migrants and asylum seekers to be detained without judicial scrutiny.  The convention obliges nations to put the best interests of a child first.

The opt-out has meant the "best interest" rule does not apply to children subject to immigration control and makes it easier for officials to detain them, sometimes for weeks or months, pending planned deportation.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband will tell UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that the UK will sign the convention, after ministers became convinced it would not become a loop-hole which frustrates effective immigration control. The change will force the UK Border Agency to put migrant children's welfare first in deciding whether to detain or deport them.

The UNCRC is central to ISS UK’s work protecting children across borders and directs how we support vulnerable children in international situations

Georg Stahl (ISS UK’s Principle Social Worker) comments:

“We are pleased to hear that the government has finally decided to withdraw the reservation entered upon ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and that children subject to immigration control will in future enjoy the same protection and suppot as all other children residing legally in the UK.

Human rights groups in the UK and abroad have for many years criticised the government for maintaining the reservation, which de facto means that there are ‘second class children’ living in the UK. “

The current government programme; ‘Every Child Matters’ is the national framework of children’s services, stating every child whatever their background or circumstances, has the support they need.  ISS UK hopes that this welcome change illustrates that in the eyes of the government; finally, every child really does matter.

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