In a shocking announcement made by Immigration Minister Chris Bowen on 3rd June, unaccompanied children who arrive in Australia seeking asylum will be deported under the proposed Malaysia solution.
This decision comes despite the strong concern already raised by UNICEF and other NGOs in Australia for the protection and well-being of children seeking asylum in Australia, including the1044 children currently held in mandatory detention centres across Australia.
Watch UNICEF Australia's reaction on 6.30 with George Negus.
All children deserve a childhood and Australia recognised the importance of protecting the welfare and rights of these most vulnerable members of our society just two decades ago when we signed and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Under this Convention, Australia has the obligation to protect and uphold the rights of children who come to Australia as refugees.
Despite this, the proposed Malaysian solution will be sending unaccompanied children to a country who has failed to uphold basic human rights by not signing the 1951 Refugee Convention and Convention against Torture.
Many of these children seeking asylum in Australia have been through great trauma and just like any child, they deserve to have their welfare and rights protected. The Immigration Minister, as the official guardian of all unaccompanied minors, has a specific responsibility to ensure he and Australia comply with their legal obligations.
To send children to a country where there are no guarantees of access to an education, health care and welfare is seemingly a breach of Australia’s legal obligations as well as lacking care and compassion.
UNICEF Australia is calling on the government to respect its legal, moral and ethical obligations towards these vulnerable children.
What can you do?
Send a letter or email to Australia’s Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen MP, urging him to uphold Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and protect children seeking asylum in Australia. Download template letter/email here.
Email: Chris.Bowen.MP@aph.gov.au
The Hon Chris Bowen MP
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
- Find out more information about the Convention on the Rights of the Child here.
- Read more about the mandatory detention of children in Australia here.