Save the Children welcomes the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration by the overwhelming majority of UN member states, today in Marrakesh, Morocco. This historic document establishes a solid platform for collaboration between countries to protect the rights of millions of migrant children – many of whom have faced unimaginable journeys, especially when travelling alone.
Some migrant children flee crippling poverty, disasters, violence and human rights abuses only to face abuse, trafficking, deportation, detention or even death. The Global Compact on Migration contains 38 paragraphs referring to children. With its adoption today, we can expect more cohesive ways of working between countries to better protect migrant children – whether it’s before they embark on the journey, while they await a decision at their destination country, or in their country of origin if they return.
Save the Children’s Global Campaign, Advocacy and Communications Director Patrick Watt said:
“The Compact on Migration was developed because the world recognised that protecting the rights of children on the move requires a global, organized response. All children—regardless of where they come from or where they’re going – have the right to be safe, access basic services and not be separated from the people that care for them.
“We must now harness the energy, ideas and experiences of children and young people themselves to ensure that they have a say in the way that this compact is implemented and that it meets their needs.”
ENDS
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Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.