Parham, 15, off to speak to UN (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Parham, 15, off to speak to UN

7:06pm Tuesday 10th June 2008 in News By Paddy McGuffin

A teenage refugee in Bradford is part of a delegation to the United Nations in Geneva to campaign on children's rights Parham Alanis, a 15-year-old Iranian, has been invited by the Children's Rights Alliance for England to address the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child which is scrutinising how effective the UK has been in implementing international children's rights.

Parham, who arrived in Bradford four years ago with his mother and brother, is one of a number of children who will give submissions.

Children will be raising concerns about different aspects of their lives and treatment in England.

This examination only occurs every five years and children are giving evidence ahead of Government representatives.

In his submission to the Committee, Parham wrote: "I have talked to some children and asked them, what would you want to be able to do right now?' one girl said there are lots of things but they feel they can't.

"As she cried it broke my heart. I could not stop thinking about those tears and for a long time.

"I haven't seen my older brother for two years because he was deported from England.

"That day I could not stop crying because they refused my brother. There was a woman there that told us my brother was refused refugee status. I said please let me talk to the judge but she said I was just a child.

"I said to her you were a child once so give me a chance, but she said no.

"I want to visit the UN Committee so I can represent the children from the UK because I went to a couple of places and heard stories from refugee and homeless children. I was shocked at the stories they told me."

Priorities expressed by the children include tackling negative media messages and lack of respect from adults, giving children more of a say when their parents separate and increasing financial and other support to families so parents can spend more time and have better relationships with their children.

Carolyne Willow, national co-ordinator of the Children's Rights Alliance for England, said: "The UN Committee on the Rights Of The Child will be keen to find out how ministers have responded to its last set of recommendations, and to hear what life is like for children in England today.

"Although this Government has put children at the heart of its programme, it has failed to protect the most vulnerable and has shown very little interest in helping to create a culture of respect for children's rights. International law is there to protect everyone, and that includes children."