Children driven to be refugees
The history of these Churches and religious groups’ involvement is a proud tradition dating back many decades supporting migrants of all faiths and non-faiths settling as refugees in UK.
( June 19, 2018, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Children are children, teenagers are teenagers, but not if they are vulnerable refugees. Unaccompanied children marred by violence in Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan and many other countries are being forced to make dangerous journeys, particularly in the Mediterranean to Europe.
Recently we saw on TV the saga of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Rescue vessel, “Aquarius” and other craft bringing 630 migrants and refugees, of which 104 were children and at least 7 pregnant women, rescued off the coast of Libya, dock at the Spanish port of Valencia. Spain was the only country willing to allow these migrants to land after a full week of negotiation at sea and the rough seas making these desperate people sea sick needing shelter, many suffering from hypothermia.
Migration in Europe
Everyone knows the deep divisions over migrants within the EU. We also know the “ostrich policy” on immigration imposed by the newly elected Italian coalition of the Right Wing Populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and the Northern League Government and the refusal by Malta to take these refugees. To avert a humanitarian catastrophe and perhaps, to show the rest of Europe “the values of a civilised nation,” the newly formed Spanish Government after much soul searching accepted these refugees. Illequipped to deal with the new influx and the lack of planning is causing problems.
The unaccompanied children are being housed in temporary accommodation, as they await for asylum in other European countries, in France, in Greece and possibly, in UK.
We are told that Britain could once again to take as many as 10,000 children, 1000 each year until 2028.
Charities like Safe Passage, with offices in Whitechapel, London E1 2JA, and religious groups like Caffod, Caritas, Church of England charities, groups of Baptists, Methodists and even Muslim charities are all involved in welcoming refugee children today.
The history of these Churches and religious groups’ involvement is a proud tradition dating back many decades supporting migrants of all faiths and non faiths settling as refugees in UK.
UK is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its child refugee protection
Descendants of the 10,000 children sent to the UK between 1938 and 1939 from Germany on the “Kindertransport” are going to retrace the 600 mile journey on two wheels, doing 100 miles per day on their bikes, for the 80th anniversary arriving from Berlin at Liverpool Street BR Station on 22 June 2018.
Many of these children, among them Lord Alf Dubs, once of British Refugee Council, and others such as Past Councillor, Newham Borough Council, Paul Sathianesan have made a major contribution to British public life.
Kindertransport, a well known charity, stands out in welcoming strangers and offering protection to children fleeing persecution.
Besides, the child refugees brought to UK under the Dubs Amendment passed in Parliament in May 2016 required the UK Government to act “as soon as possible” to relocate and support unaccompanied refugee children in Europe.
Under this scheme it was required to consult with Local Authorities to determine the number of children each Council has the capacity to help and/or accommodate refugee children.
But notwithstanding same and many Councils volunteering in Scotland, Wales and even in London, particularly Councils like Camden and Lewisham have accepted child refugees, the British Government amended in early February 2018 that it was to close the Dubs scheme after accepting 350 minors in UK.
Fair and effective Family Reunion
UK Family Reunion law prohibits children rejoining their parents or any member of their family. This is keeping families apart. But for purposes of family reunion the Home Office does consider the sponsor as the individual who has refugee status including those resettled under the Gateway Protection Programme, Mandate Protection Programme or the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement (VPR) Scheme.
Children in Calais and in Greece we know have been living in the woods with “their lives on hold.”
The Charity “Help Refugees” intends to appeal on the Courts decision of the Dubs amendment.
Meanwhile protesters and charities are demanding UK resettle more migrant children in response to the refugee crisis in Europe. They are seeking the support of churches and religious groups to appeal to their MP’s and Local councils to provide support for refugee children. by fostering, or in care or with reunion.
The nature of today’s conflict and persecution and the speed and manner with which those seeking asylum are often forced to flee their country of origin, reunion from family members of those granted refugee status or “humanitarian protection” in UK being able to sponsor immediate family and especially children under the age of 18 is a welcome sign.
UNHCR identity of Vulnerable Children
In the 80th year of Child Refugee Protection in UK, UNHCR identifies vulnerable children at risk on the following criteria:
• Children with specific medical needs
• Children with disabilities
• Child survivors (or at risk of ) violence, abuse or exploitation, including sexual or gender based violence
• Children at risk or harmful traditional practices (eg.child marriage or FGM)
• Children without legal documentation
• Children in detention
• Children at risk of refoulement
• Children at risk not attending school
• Children associated with armed forces or armed groups
• Children at risk of child labour or already working.
• Children with specific medical needs
• Children with disabilities
• Child survivors (or at risk of ) violence, abuse or exploitation, including sexual or gender based violence
• Children at risk or harmful traditional practices (eg.child marriage or FGM)
• Children without legal documentation
• Children in detention
• Children at risk of refoulement
• Children at risk not attending school
• Children associated with armed forces or armed groups
• Children at risk of child labour or already working.
UK and Vulnerable Refugee Children
We are told that Britain is committed once again to take 10,000 children, 1000 each year until 2028 and charities like Safe Passage, with offices in Whitechapel, London E1 2JA, and religious groups like Caffod, Caritas, Church of England charities, Baptists, Methodists and even Muslim charities are all involved in welcoming refugee children today.
The history of these Churches and religious groups’ involvement is a proud tradition dating back many decades supporting migrants of all faiths and non-faiths settling as refugees in UK.
