By Ajaz Ahmad
The screaming viral audio of children crying for her parents at US detention center awaken the world about inhuman family separation immigration policy of trump administration. The distressing audio recording of children calling ‘’mami’’ ‘’Papa’’ shows how US is treating children. Since, Trump has overtaken United States as President, there has been major shift in his policy to deal with other countries. In recent move Children have come across under strict immigration policy of United States, which left children vulnerable and distressed.
The family separation immigration policy was implemented in April 2018 and it first six weeks more than 2000 children were separated from their parents and the number may have increased till now. Since, the implementation of this family separation policy in April 2018, US did not face any immediate criticism but the distressing viral audio of children crying for parents exposed United States all over. There has been worldwide outrage and criticism over family separation immigration policy, United Nations seek immediate halt of this policy.
Since, we all know US have not ratified United Nations children rights treaty and it claims to have own system of child protection in United States, but separating children from parents at Mexico border showed discriminative approach of US towards children. I believe US child protection system has failed to understand best interest of a child and it perceives children with adults with certain vested interests. The policy makers did not consider this aspect of the policy, it does not make any difference in US immigration policy, if a Child will accompany with her parents but departing children from their parents is human rights violation.
The majority countries has ratified UNCRC to ensure care and protection of children without any discriminative policy, even UN’s children treaty has special provisions for refugees children and clearly envisaged under article 19 of UNCRC that children have right to live with parents. Though, this UN treaty is not applicable to United States but its moral obligation of US to respect the treaty and rights of children. It is agreed United States is not signatory to UNCRC, but US has forgotten that it has signed United Nation declaration of human rights, which promotes individuals rights, right to life.
The life of Mexican children and their belongingness to their parents is basic human right which US need to accept and admit. Recently, United States has withdrew from Human rights council and alleged biased approach towards Israel, well it’s bizarre admission that US is more caring for Israel than innocent Mexican children, although Israel is openly disrespecting human rights in occupied Palestinian territories.
US President Donald Trump has been defending his policy for the national interest but for the sake of national interest children are screaming, crying turned vulnerable and departed. UNICEF joined the growing outrage and described separation of children heart breaking, despite their migration status, children are children and they have the right to be protected and to be with their families.
Parental care for children is very important for every child, the family separation policy can have serious psychological impacts on children and it can leave children distressed and traumatized. Child separation from parents is form of abuse and serious health complications are possible if these children are not reunited. The forcible separation of children and less care and protection of children can lead post traumatic psychological disorder. Since, these children are in very sensitive age, they have immediate need of parental care and forcible separation from parents will affect their cognitive development. These incident can also indoctrinate strange behavioral practices among children. Taking the serious note on these possible impacts on children, the family reunification is very important to save the lives of these immigrant children. There will be definitely short term impact on children’s development, however the reunification efforts can avoid long term serious psychological impacts on children lives. It’s time to take a strong notice of US family separation policy and world needs to stand united to protect children rights.
Likewise other countries, United States has right to protect their international boarder but legislative policies on boarder protection should not violate human rights, we cannot let them cry, isolate them from parents. Let’s be a wise soul to take care of every child irrespective of their creed and color. United States need to review the immigration policy for the sake of innocent children and ensure reunification of children to their parents.
(The writer is a humanitarian professional working for Children rights)
