Immigration Rules Fail Children

06 Jul 2005

Diane Abbott said: "I agree with parts of the Immigration, Asylum, and Nationality Bill.  The Bill will allow data sharing between border agencies such as the immigration service, police and HM Revenue and Customs and will allow these agencies to more efficiently identify individuals who may be involved in trafficking people and especially children." 

She added:  "The Bill will also ensure that those facing removal have a right to appeal against the decision as well as the decision to revoke their right to stay. This is a clear improvement on the Asylum and Immigration Act 2002."

Abbott went on: "I am, however, concerned about the Bill's potential impact on unaccompanied children who have been here until the age on 18.  The Bill removes their right to appeal against a refusal of extension which is a critical right for these young people whose lives will then once again be thrown into turmoil." 

She added: “The Bill fails to protect adequately the legal rights of at-risk children. Restrictions on access to legal representation and remedy is particularly damaging in the case of children and young people. Coupling this with the denial of appeal rights increases the risk of flawed decisions and jeopardises children being returned to countries where they might face persecution”

Abbott concluded: “It is also unacceptable that the Bill does not abolish the current power to detain children. Detention centres are not appropriate environments for accommodating traumatised children’s emotional and physical needs. Whilst making some progress this Bill is a missed opportunity to reform our asylum system and improve the condition of the most vulnerable in society: refugee children."    



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