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| Child detainees | Child detainees |
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| We strongly disagree with the chief of Barnardo's comment that there is no alternative to detaining children and their families (In the best interests of the children, 12 September). The alternative is that children should not be detained as part of the asylum process. Recent figures show that numbers in detention have doubled since a year ago, and this does not include the significant number of children here without their families who are also being detained by the UK government. We work with child refugees being held in adult detention centres because the UK Border Agency does not believe them to be the age they say they are on arrival. Our report Not a Minor Offence (May 2012) highlighted the devastating impact this has on their physical and mental wellbeing, and our work continues to ensure young people in this situation are released until properly assessed. We are hugely disappointed that the government has not lived up to its pledge in May 2010 to end child detention. Judith Dennis Policy officer, Refugee Council | We strongly disagree with the chief of Barnardo's comment that there is no alternative to detaining children and their families (In the best interests of the children, 12 September). The alternative is that children should not be detained as part of the asylum process. Recent figures show that numbers in detention have doubled since a year ago, and this does not include the significant number of children here without their families who are also being detained by the UK government. We work with child refugees being held in adult detention centres because the UK Border Agency does not believe them to be the age they say they are on arrival. Our report Not a Minor Offence (May 2012) highlighted the devastating impact this has on their physical and mental wellbeing, and our work continues to ensure young people in this situation are released until properly assessed. We are hugely disappointed that the government has not lived up to its pledge in May 2010 to end child detention. Judith Dennis Policy officer, Refugee Council |
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