“Every child must be respected as an individual regardless of age and birthplace according to the constitution and conventions on children’s rights,” says Maija Sakslin, the Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman.
The Finnish Immigration Service’s (Migri) practices have failed to protect children’s rights in Finland, states Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman Maija Sakslin.
Sakslin on Tuesday expressed her disapproval with the practice not to make a separate decision for children born after a deportation order has been issued to their parents. A separate decision, she argued, should be issued in order to protect the human dignity and special protection of children afforded under the constitution and international conventions.
“A prerequisite for deporting a child is that a justified deportation decision has been made for the child. Decisions concerning children must take into consideration the interests of children comprehensively and individually,” she said in a press release.
Sakslin also pointed out that children generally face more challenges than adults in protecting their rights and viewed that a separate deportation decision would show respect for the human dignity of children and secure their right to special protection.
“Every child must be respected as an individual regardless of age and birthplace according to the constitution and conventions on children’s rights,” she underlined.
“Finnish authorities cannot contribute to a situation where a child disappears after deportation or is left without nationality. A child has the right to a nationality from birth under article 7 of the convention on children’s rights.”
Aleksi Teivainen – HT Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa – Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi
