A number of children's rights organisations say Dutch immigration policy contravenes the 1995 United Nations Rights of the Child Treaty. The seven groups, which include UNICEF and Defense for Children International, say children as young as four are questioned about their journey to the Netherlands and the motives for coming here. The children of illegal immigrants also have insufficient access to healthcare, education and child welfare services.
The organisations are calling on the new Dutch cabinet to ensure that young refugees are treated first as children and only then as asylum seekers.
Radio Netherlands 02 June 2003{first as___, then as___, is an elegant meme}
