With a growing number of developing countries releasing children from detention as a preventive measure for COVID-19, how can we support all countries to do the same?
Releasing girls and boys from detention is a public health priority and a key prevention measure for COVID-19 for the simple reason that the pandemic spreads much more rapidly in confined spaces. New variants of the virus appear to be more infectious and are infecting younger adults and children at higher levels than previous mutations. And while vaccines may provide a bridge to a post COVID-19 world, for some people in some countries, in the meantime, prevention remains the priority. This means keeping children out of high-risk environments such as detention facilities.
Five strategies for protecting children in detention: Child Protection in the age of COVID-19
The right to personal liberty is one of the most enduring and important of all human rights, yet every year more than 400,000 children Worldwide are held in detention in juvenile detention facilities and prisons. Releasing girls and boys from detention is a public health priority for COVID-19, for the simple reason that the pandemic will most likely spread much more rapidly in confined spaces, whether they be nursing homes for the elderly; orphanages for the young; prisons for adult male and female offenders; or detention facilities for child offenders…