2007 Press Releases
Protecting Migrant Children in Ireland: Models of Guardianship - one day conference
27.11.2007
"Protecting Migrant Children in Ireland: Models of Guardianship" is the title of a one-day conference to be hosted by UCC's Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (CCJHR) and the Irish Refugee Council.
27.11.2007
"Protecting Migrant Children in Ireland: Models of Guardianship" is the title of a one-day conference to be hosted by UCC's Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (CCJHR) and the Irish Refugee Council.
The Conference takes place tomorrow (Wednesday, November 28th 2007) in Jury's Hotel, Western Road, from 10am-5pm.
The one-day seminar will examine the legal framework to protect separated migrant children in Ireland. The Keynote Address will be delivered by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Thomas Hammarberg, who is visiting as part of his mandate to assess and report on the human rights situation in Ireland.
Separated children are children under 18 years of age who are outside their country of origin and separated from both parents or their previous legal/customary primary caregiver. Separated children may be seeking asylum because of fear of persecution or the lack of protection due to human rights violations, armed conflict or disturbances in their own country. They may be the victims of trafficking for sexual or other exploitation, or they may have travelled to Europe to escape conditions of serious deprivation.
Over 4,500 separated children have arrived in Ireland in recent years. While many are reunited with their families, others are taken into the care of the Health Service Executive. It has been reported that more than 100 separated children have been placed in care since the beginning of 2007. As these children arrive in Ireland separated from their families, they are particularly vulnerable. Good practice shows that an independent, professional guardian can play a crucial role in ensuring that their voice is heard and that a decision is reached in line with their best interests. The seminar, which brings together experts from the UK, Belgium, Finland and Ireland, will discuss models of guardianship that could strengthen the protection of the best interests of such children.
Further details available at: http://www.ucc.ie/en/ccjhr/events
or contact: Dr Siobhan Mullally, Co-Director CCJHR, s.mullally@ucc.ie (Chairperson Irish Refugee Council).
575MMcS
The one-day seminar will examine the legal framework to protect separated migrant children in Ireland. The Keynote Address will be delivered by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Thomas Hammarberg, who is visiting as part of his mandate to assess and report on the human rights situation in Ireland.
Separated children are children under 18 years of age who are outside their country of origin and separated from both parents or their previous legal/customary primary caregiver. Separated children may be seeking asylum because of fear of persecution or the lack of protection due to human rights violations, armed conflict or disturbances in their own country. They may be the victims of trafficking for sexual or other exploitation, or they may have travelled to Europe to escape conditions of serious deprivation.
Over 4,500 separated children have arrived in Ireland in recent years. While many are reunited with their families, others are taken into the care of the Health Service Executive. It has been reported that more than 100 separated children have been placed in care since the beginning of 2007. As these children arrive in Ireland separated from their families, they are particularly vulnerable. Good practice shows that an independent, professional guardian can play a crucial role in ensuring that their voice is heard and that a decision is reached in line with their best interests. The seminar, which brings together experts from the UK, Belgium, Finland and Ireland, will discuss models of guardianship that could strengthen the protection of the best interests of such children.
Further details available at: http://www.ucc.ie/en/ccjhr/events
or contact: Dr Siobhan Mullally, Co-Director CCJHR, s.mullally@ucc.ie (Chairperson Irish Refugee Council).
575MMcS