MANIFESTO FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANT CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF FAMILY LIFE.
Initiative arising within the framework of the 6th Catalan Congress of Mental Health
Barcelona, July 2018 (Revision 2/2019)
As health and social care professionals, we believe it's crucial to take a stance on the severe problems faced by many adolescent and young migrants. Both the lack of adequate reception policies for unaccompanied adolescent and young migrants and the increasing restrictions on the family life of underage migrants are converging in a very negative way within the current social context. Therefore, we cannot remain silent in the face of this grave violation of the rights of immigrant families, not only because of the immense human suffering it generates, but also because of the serious repercussions it has on their physical and emotional health.
There is extensive knowledge about the negative effects of migration on minors in adverse social contexts, who may have suffered traumatic reactions in their place of origin, and who are exposed to re-traumatization in transit or arrival locations. We know that the breakdown and destabilization of families constitute one of the most relevant risk factors from a psychosocial health perspective.
The difficulties faced by unaccompanied adolescent and young migrants are particularly severe, given the increase in arrivals and the fact that their issues are often managed more as a security problem, when it is the scarcity and inadequacy of inclusive and support resources that is the determining factor exposing them to violence and causing their emotional distress. We cannot overlook the risk also suffered by the «insufficiently accompanied,» such as those living with other adults who provide inadequate care, as well as those reunited with older siblings who are in a situation of exclusion. And in the case of adolescent and young migrants, it is important to warn that their situation is often even more difficult, as it is linked to their invisibility.
Faced with these realities, we must emphasize that if the emigration of adolescents and young people occurs under appropriate conditions and with the protection of family or other relational support structures, the risks can be minimized and the foundations for good psychosocial development can be established.
There is extensive international legislation on the rights of emigrants and refugees. The Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 was ratified by the Spanish State in 1990 and is of mandatory compliment. It states clearly on the protection and respect of children, adolescents, and young people as active agents. It defends family reunification, education, healthcare, protection from violence, and rejection of detention as inalienable rights. In practice, however, prejudices and resistance remain towards applying legislation clearly and investing resources for its fulfillment. We consider that the tendency to restrict the family life of immigrants is not casual but rather part of other restrictive measures on the rights of immigrants.
As healthcare and social professionals, we demand:
- The deployment of support and inclusion resources necessary for migrant children, adolescents, and youth based on the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, addressing the rights of family reunification and care.
- Recognize «voluntary temporary return» as a right for unaccompanied migrant children, girls, adolescents, and youth, in order to visit and/or reconnect with their families of origin.
- Regarding mental health care, it's important to keep in mind that to address the suffering of migrant children, adolescents, and young people, we must avoid categorizing it under rigid psychopathological labels. Instead, by listening to their life stories and understanding their needs, we should establish constructive and inclusive intervention models that consider the social and political dimensions.