Wired-GOV Newswire (news from other organisations)
 Printable version
|
Unicef - End to Dubs scheme leaves refugee and migrant children facing uncertainty
Lily Caprani, Deputy Executive Director of Unicef UK responded to the Government’s Written Ministerial Statement on Immigration
“We are disappointed that only 150 more children will be transferred to the UK before the Dubs scheme ends. The UK made a significant commitment last year to match the scale of the crisis by agreeing to transfer vulnerable unaccompanied children from Europe. This low figure does not match that commitment.
“Last year, 30,000 unaccompanied children arrived in Greece and Italy. Thousands of these children arrived alone and are highly vulnerable, living in a state of perpetual uncertainty and at risk of exploitation and abuse by traffickers. Many are victims of modern slavery – an issue the Prime Minister has rightly prioritised.
“The government has accelerated the process for getting children safe in Calais and showed that the law, not the criminals, could work for children. We welcome the steps that have already been taken to offer refuge to some children under the Dubs scheme. But this leadership has been undermined by ending the Dubs scheme before it has had a chance to help some of the most vulnerable children in the world to start rebuilding their lives.
“With the Dubs scheme now to end, the government must ensure that the Dublin system works to its fullest extent to quickly help end the horrific journey for those children in Europe with family anxiously waiting for them or who are in the most need end.”
Notes to editors:
The full statement can be found here: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2017-02-08/HCWS467/
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
