Human rights NGO adidus complained today that the Child Protection (out of Home Care) Billalmost entirely ignored the rights and needs of unaccompanied refugee children.

“Important elements such as age assessment procedures, the asylum interview, detention, family tracing and reunification and long-term integration struggle to find a place in the Bill,” the NGO said.

“We also strongly criticise the manner in which the Bill was speedily presented to  Parliament without any in-depth consultation with, or even information to, key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. A Bill of such national importance should have been preceded by an inclusive discussion process that would have definitely ensured a more effective Bill enjoying nation-wide support and ownership.

“Refugee children travelling alone are, first and foremost, children.Furthermore, because they are travelling alone, torn from their families and communities, they are often vulnerable to various forms of physical, psychological and also sexual exploitation. It is our collective responsibility to offer these children the highest forms of protection, so that they may enjoy the pleasures of being children and eventually develop into strong and empowered individuals.”

The adidus comments form part of a report on the Bill published today along with another report which looks into the rights and needs of asylum-seeking children.

The reports may be accessed at http://www.aditus.org.mt/aditus_foundation/VOICES.html