Refugee child rights action urged

Version 0 of 1.

Campaigners have called for greater protection for refugee and asylum seeking children.

The UK Government has signed up to the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child but opts out when it comes to immigration.

The Scottish Refugee Council wants Westminster to change its policy.

The Home Office said any change would provide another avenue of appeal in immigration cases and said all children were protected under other laws.

The Scottish Government has acknowledged it does have a responsibility under the United Nations convention.

But the convention is not legally enforceable so the UK Government chooses to opt out on immigration issues.

This means that refugee and asylum seeking children do not necessarily have the same rights as other young people.

The Scottish Refugee Council's autumn conference takes place in Glasgow on Friday.

It is focussing on the issue of refugee children and families in Scotland.