* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The rights of children – no matter where they live or move – must never be open to negotiation
If there is anything to be learnt from how the United States is treating migrant families, surely one clear message is that we need to redouble efforts to protect the rights of migrant and refugee children.
Thanks to a global outcry, the White House has reversed the heartless practice of forcibly separating children from their parents along the border between Mexico and the United States. It continues, however, to defend its "zero-tolerance" policy on immigration that risks de-humanising parents seeking a more secure life for their children.
But the US government does not have a monopoly on callousness when it comes to migrants and refugees. Europe’s failure to agree on a coherent refugee approach has fuelled resentment and fear, giving fresh momentum to populism around the bloc. With much of the world tuned in to the men’s football World Cup in Russia, the leaders of Austria and Germany have been locked in their own competitive matches to toughen border and immigration controls, risking their countries’ hard-earned reputations for compassion and humanitarianism.
For too many children caught up in such political gamesmanship, the damage has been done. When children are unwillingly separated from their parents, whether crossing a border or in times of war, they are subject to irreparable harm. Traumatising events such as displacement, loss of home and loved ones, destroy a child’s sense of security and can have life-long effects on their wellbeing.
International agreements like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are intended to reduce these risks. As one of the most successful and widely endorsed global agreements, the Convention calls for the protection of all children from harm; a right to care, shelter, and education; and the opportunity to grow up with their loved ones whenever possible. More than just words on paper, the Convention recognises the basic human instinct to protect children from adversity.
Politicians who think that "being tough on migration" will make today's challenges go away are living in a fantasy world. The number of people displaced by war or instability reached a record 68.5 million last year, according to the United Nations refugee agency. The number of refugees, 25.4 million, has more than doubled since the turn of the century and at least half are children.
Contrary to some alarmists, most people fleeing conflict and instability are neither in nor heading towards the United States or Europe. One-third of the world's refugees live in Turkey, Uganda, Pakistan, Lebanon and Iran. Millions more migrate to other countries to achieve the dream of a better life for their families.
Fences aren't the solution
What can be done to counter the move towards higher fences, more restrictive European borders, and the imbalanced negative reporting on the impact of refugees and migrants which too often is "fake news"?
First, there is an urgent need for a global action on refugees and migration – especially for the most vulnerable groups such as children who are separated from their loved ones. Just as nations have worked together to develop the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aimed at eradicating poverty and inequality, international collaboration is needed to protect the rights of refugees and migrants. The ongoing discussions over the United Nations Global Compact on Refugees offer an opportunity to create awareness and a call for action.
Second, in these times of record displacement, global leaders must be prepared to free up resources for host countries and communities that are most affected by refugees and migrants. This includes more investment in schools, health care and infrastructure, as well as creating employment opportunities so that all families have the potential to earn a living and contribute to their community.
Third, US President Donald Trump should champion the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by the US Senate. The United States is the only UN member not to have ratified the 1989 accord. By ending America's isolation on such a fundamental issue as the rights of children, the American President would send a clear message that his administration cares about creating a better world.
Today's refugee and migration challenges are global. Meaningful political debate about how to manage these challenges is needed. But the rights of children – no matter where they live or move – must never be open to negotiation. Nor must we forget that compassion, love and respect are essential to ensuring that these children have a better future.
Norbert Meder is Chief Executive Officer of SOS Children's Villages International.
