Statement on the Separation of Children from Their Parents

21 June 2018

The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children is devoted to building a world that is worthy of its children. The importance of preserving and protecting families and children, which necessarily includes not forcibly separating children from their parents, is recognized by both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as various other international human rights instruments. We condemn actions by any government that do not adhere to these noble and globally-accepted standards, and we note the potential for adverse mental and physical health consequences for children separated from their parents, particularly for those of a tender age. Keeping children safe from harm is a responsibility we all share as part of the global community.