Charities Accuse UK Gov't of Breaking Own Laws by Rejecting Child Refugees

A number of charities have said that the new UK Home Office guidance on the acceptance of unaccompanied refugee minors is arbitrary, cruel and potentially illegal.


They have also said that it is a way of creating an incentive for child refugees to run away from official centers in France and to try and enter Britain in illegal and dangerous ways.

The guidance means that children as young as 13 and 14 and coming from countries other than Syria and Sudan, who lack family in the UK, will be barred from being transferred to Britain.

The Dubs Amendment, passed by Lord Alf Dubs in April 2016, committed the government to taking 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees. Under international law, a child is defined as being younger than 18 years of age.

Tess Berry-Hart, Head of Advocacy of Calais Action, has led the campaign against what they call the government's attempt to ignore the most vulnerable people caught up in the conflict.

 "We have asked that the government to amend the guidance and remove the age nationality restrictions. This is not in the Dubs Amendment, so why is it being enforced?" Tess Berry-Hart said.

 The criticism will add to pressure on the Home Office after cross-party MPs raised an urgent question in parliament, calling on the government to explain the guidance.
[sputniknews.com]
17/11/16