Government must end ‘enforced destitution’ of asylum seeking children

A report published today by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, ‘The Treatment of Asylum Seekers’, has heavily criticised the Government’s standards of care and protection of rights for asylum seeker families and children who arrive unaccompanied by an adult.

Commenting on the report, Child Poverty Action Group’s Chief Executive, Kate Green, said:

“The Government must act on this report to end the ‘enforced destitution’ faced by asylum seekers and their families.

“Asylum seekers’ children are being denied the right to respect for their family and home life and barred from any possible route out of poverty. Standards of service provision and levels of support must increase and asylum seekers, many of whom have valuable skills, should be allowed to work.

“Asylum seeking children arriving in Britain alone can be badly traumatised. The Government must end its opt out from the UN Convention and ensure the full resources and services needed by these vulnerable children are provided.”

Notes to Editors

• CPAG is a member of the campaign to End Child Poverty

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Tim Nichols
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