Action urged to protect children

GROUPS WORKING with refugees and children have called for changes to the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill to provide specific protection for child victims of trafficking.

The Bill, which is being considered by the Oireachtas, represents a real opportunity to provide greater protection for vulnerable separated children who have migrated to Ireland, including those who have been trafficked, according to Action for Separated Children (ASC).

Separated children are defined as under 18-year-olds living outside their country of residence or nationality and separated from their parents.

The group, comprising the Irish Refugee Council, Children's Rights Alliance, ISPCC and Bernardos, says the legislation lacks specific provisions to ensure that vulnerable children receive care and protection, and does not adhere to international standards in relation to trafficked and missing children.

Over 5,000 separated children have been identified in Ireland over the past decade, of whom 60 per cent have been reunited with family members in Ireland, members told a press conference yesterday.

More than 350 children of the remainder have gone missing. There is evidence that at least some trafficked children were brought here for the purposes of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude or as forced brides.

ASC has called for changes to the Bill to address the needs of separated children, including:

• the setting up of 24-hour reception teams on call at airports and ports with staff trained to identify victims of trafficking;

• the provision of a guardian for separated children;

• the granting of temporary permission to children in a legal limbo;

• additional family reunification provisions;

• an individual right for a children to seek asylum;

• children should not be punished for immigration-related reasons.

ASC presented its recommended changes to the Bill before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights yesterday.