International
Detention Coalition launches letter writing campaign
(Brussels, 9 November) -- The International
Detention Coalition has
launched a letter writing campaign in a bid to end
child detention. They are doing this in partnership
with the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)
and Amnesty International. They’re asking concerned
organisations to urge their governments to make a
pledge to end child detention.
The purpose of the campaign is to get governments to
pledge against the detention of migrant children at
the upcoming ministerial-level meeting of all UN
member states on 7-8 December 2011, in Geneva. This
event is in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of
the Refugee Convention. It will be an opportunity
for states to make forward-looking commitments to
improve protection for refugees and asylum seekers.
The IDC's focus on ending child detention at this
event is an initial step in its larger campaign to
end child detention globally, which they will launch
in March 2012.
“Fortunately
in Europe, there is a trend towards not detaining
children for immigration purposes,” acknowledges
Philip Amaral, policy and communications officer for
JRS Europe.
“Yet
children are still detained in prison-like
conditions in Europe. The UN meeting in Geneva is a
key opportunity for European governments to commit
themselves to ending this abusive practice.”
A 2010 study by JRS Europe found that detention
poses serious harm to the mental health of children.
Many reported severe levels of stress, anxiety and
symptoms related to depression. In some cases,
children were detained with unfamiliar adults,
placing them in vulnerable – and potentially
dangerous – situations.
The IDC, ECRE and Amnesty have written a template
that organisations may use, which can be adapted to
fit their national context. Organisations may also
co-sign with several partners. Since the UN
ministerial meeting is just one-month away, the IDC
encourages organisations to act quickly.
For more information on this letter writing
campaign, and how your organisation can participate,
contact Katherine Wright, the IDC regional
coordinator for Europe (kwright@idcoalition.org).
For further information, read the following:
Briefing on child detention and policy guide.pdf
Download the IDC letter here:
Pledge Ministerial Conference December AI 31 Oct
2011 EU.doc
