Joint communiqué: Putting children’s rights at the heart of the Global Compact for Migration’s implementation in Asia-Pacific
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As State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), governments have a duty to respect, protect and fulfill the specific obligations related to each child within their jurisdiction, without discrimination based on their or their parents’ migration or other status. We, the undersigned individuals and organisations, call on governments across the Asia-Pacific region to uphold and fulfill these rights for all children in the context of migration.
Children in the context of migration are often forced to live a precarious existence on the margins of society, facing risks and challenges that have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These children struggle to access basic services, including healthcare, education and protection, and are at heightened risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. These risks are most acute for the most vulnerable, including unaccompanied and separated children, children living in situations of protracted irregularity, LGBTIQ adolescents and youth, and children with disabilities. Despite encouraging efforts in several countries, far too many children continue to face the risks of immigration detention.