WIREDGOV

Lily Caprani, Unicef UK’s Deputy Executive Director, said:  “At a time when the UK has shown real humanity and a commitment to respecting the rights of children searching for safety,

“it’s a great shame that a vocal few are now questioning their right to be here. Forcing traumatised children to undergo dental and medical checks to determine their ages would be intrusive, inaccurate and, frankly, cruel. The Home Office is right to have ruled this out.

“After fleeing their homes, making perilous journeys and then being stranded for months in truly terrible conditions in Calais, children are finally arriving. It’s heart-warming to see them reunited with their families and preparing to build a life in the UK, as they are legally entitled to do.

“The Home Secretary has committed to bring these children here within days and offering unaccompanied refugee children across Europe the chance to live safe, stable lives in the UK, which is something to be celebrated.”

For more information please contact:

Unicef UK Media Team on +44 (0)207 375 6030 or media@unicef.org.uk

About Unicef:

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk