[child-rights] Commissioner for Human Rights on Universal Children's Day

***Learn more about Universal Children's Day, 20 November 2006:
http://www.hrea.org/feature-events/child-rights-day.php


Strasbourg, 19.11.2006 -- On the occasion of Universal Children's Day, the
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg,
appeals to governments and local authorities to take into account the
particular vulnerability of children within the migration process.

"Children of irregular migrants demand particular attention," the
Commissioner said. "International human rights standards such as the
European Convention on Human Rights or the UN Convention on the Rights of
the Child are applicable to all children regardless of their migration
status."

"Migrant children have a right to housing, to healthcare and to education.
It can be difficult for children to enjoy these rights in practice,
because of the fear that they will be reported to the authorities and
expelled from the respective country."

"I am particularly concerned about situations where children are prevented
from going to school or seeing a doctor. Governments need to re-examine
the obligation put on certain authorities to denounce those in an
irregular situation."

The Commissioner reminds central and local authorities of the principle of
upholding the best interests of the child -- which should be a major
consideration in all decisions affecting them.

Council of Europe Press Division 
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60 
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11