Pope appeals for rights of migrant and refugee children

(January 16, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI urged governments and international organizations to give special attention to the rights of child immigrants, who often are victims of exploitation and abandonment. Minors forced to immigrate for reasons of poverty, violence or hunger are the most vulnerable, he said. The pope made the comments in his annual message for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated on Sunday January 17^th in most countries. The pope said host countries must create policies that protect child immigrants and help them integrate into society. These children should enjoy basic rights such as going to school and being able to work legally, he added. "I warmly hope that proper attention will be given to minor migrants who need a social environment that permits and fosters their physical, cultural, spiritual and moral development," he said. Despite increased awareness of the need to help child immigrants, the pope said, "Many are left to fend for themselves and, in various ways, face the risk of exploitation." Pope Benedict referred to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognizes children's "fundamental rights as equal to the rights of adults." But "unfortunately this does not always happen in practice," he said. Archbishop Marchetto said internationally established rights for migrant minors to have access to school, health care, a home and food are often not respected in the host countries. Many children live isolated lives, staying in refugee camps or immigration centres. Often they have no money, he said. Archbishop Silvano Tomasi said data from the United Nations and individual governments show that 15 to 20 percent of all immigration is illegal, amounting to 30 million to 40 million people. If international organizations and governments are able to construct a framework that opens more possibilities for legal immigration and guarantees basic human rights, he said, "everyone will gain: migrants, national economies and peaceful coexistence."