We must ensure children have access to legal rights to come to the UK - Unicef
Unicef responds to MPs decision to reject a call for the UK to take in unaccompanied refugee children from Europe.
Responding to tonight’s vote on the Lord Dubs’ amendment to the Immigration Bill, Lily Caprani, Deputy Executive Director at Unicef UK said:
“This is a missed opportunity for the Government to make a bold gesture for vulnerable children in Europe. What is vital right now is sustainable, safe and legal routes that ensure safe passage for refugees and asylum seekers.
“Even without this legislation, the Government has the power to allow unaccompanied children in Europe who have family here in the UK to be reunited. We must ensure that children have access to their legal rights to come to the UK. To this end, the Government must continue to try and meet its obligations under Dublin III more quickly, as well as applying existing UK family reunion rules more flexibly and widening those rules to allow unaccompanied children to join extended family more easily.”
