Global – Justice With Children

Children in detention are at heightened risk of contracting Covid-19 and should be released

April 13, 2020By Joakim Loeb0 comment

Originally published by Unicef on 13/04/2020

Summary

Unicef is calling on governments and other detaining authorities to release all children who can safely return to their families or an appropriate alternative due to the risk of contracting Covid-19. Advocates argue that many children in detention are held in confined and overcrowded spaces with inadequate access to nutrition, healthcare and hygiene services. Further, children are more vulnerable to neglect, abuse and gender-based violence, especially if staffing levels or care are negatively impacted by the virus or containment measures.

Detained children at ‘grave risk’ of contracting COVID-19 – UNICEF chief

April 12, 2020By Joakim Loeb0 comment

Originally published by UNICEF on 12/04/2020

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Summary

Details the risk of detained children across the world and demonstrates how these children are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.Showcases that an outbreak in one of these facilities could happen at any moment while also explaining that children in these facilities also more exposed to neglect and other abuses due to lessened care caused by the pandemic.

The Rights and Health of Refugees, Migrants and Stateless Must be Protected in COVID-19 Response

March 31, 2020By Joakim Loeb0 comment

Originally published by IOM (International Organization for Migration) on 31/03/2020

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Summary

The article suggests an inclusive approach which protects every individual’s rights to life and health. Migrants and refugees are disproportionately vulnerable to exclusion, stigma and discrimination, particularly when undocumented. To avert a catastrophe, governments must do all they can to protect the rights and the health of everyone. Protecting the rights and the health of all people will in fact help control the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus and children in detention

March 26, 2020By Joakim Loeb0 comment

Originally published by Child Rights International Network (CRIN) on 26/03/2020

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Summary

There are 160,000 – 250,000 children detained in prisons and pre-trial detentions centers, globally. Many of these children are in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions, rendering any attempt to slow the spread of infection nearly impossible. The inevitable spread of the virus will effect staff working in these facilities, leaving them understaffed and unable to maintain education and healthcare services. In addition, the ability of the children to leave their cells to exercise and socialize will be extremely limited. Solitary confinement for children is recognized as a form of cruel and unusual punishment under international human rights law and is not a means to prevent the spread of infection.Reducing the number of children in detention is the only viable solution for managing the detention facilities in a safe manner. Releases should be organized before an outbreak takes place, first focusing on younger, non-violent offenders who can be safely released and managed in the community. Pre-trial detention should be reduced and community sentences should be emphasized to reduce the number of children entering detention. With these reductions, staff will be better equipped and services will be accessible for those children that do remain in detention.

Coronavirus will decimate refugee communities if we don’t act now

March 16, 2020By Joakim Loeb0 comment

Originally published by on 16/03/2020

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Summary

Contingency planning for all countries must include vulnerable communities inside their borders. There must be flexibility from donors so that humanitarian organizations can scale up water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, improve the health response and take other necessary actions to help avoid a catastrophe.

Coronavirus Is Spreading across Borders

March 14, 2020By Joakim Loeb0 comment

Originally published by Migration Policy.org/Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan, Meghan Benton, and Susan Fratzke on 14/03/2020

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Summary

Immigration enforcement operations, and widespread detention of asylum seekers and other migrants awaiting immigration hearings, may conflict with other public interest imperatives during this crisis. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for example, has wisely decided to temporarily suspend most non-urgent enforcement actions (committing not to arrest people at health-care facilities, for example). However, lingering fear and mistrust within unauthorized communities, and contradictory messaging from government authorities, may still keep people from seeking care.

Justice for Children - 2020