'We cannot stand by and watch another of Europe’s shores become a burial ground for children'
Publication Date: 2024/09/04
Statement by UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe Regina De Dominicis
GENEVA, 4 September 2024 – “Reports of six children and a pregnant mother being among 12 people who drowned in the English Channel yesterday are an unacceptable tragedy. We cannot stand by and watch another of Europe’s shores become a burial ground for children.
“There need to be safe, legal and accessible pathways for children to seek protection and reunite with family members. This means expanding opportunities to access family reunification in countries of origin or transit, refugee resettlement or other humanitarian visas - in greater numbers than are currently available.
“At the same time, coordinated search and rescue operations at sea, safe disembarkation, community-based reception, and access to asylum services are essential to preventing these entirely preventable deaths of children at sea.
“Around 1 in 5 people arriving irregularly in the UK are children. It is our collective responsibility and legal obligation to ensure their safety and their rights, are upheld.”
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