Malaysian coalition urges further steps towards ending child detention in the country

Globally, many countries have already progressed from 'child-friendly' or 'family-friendly' detention facilities towards ending child immigration detention altogether. Photo: Freepik

Detaining children in immigration depots or any other detention facilities, even with their parents or other family members, is never acceptable, says the End Detention Network (EDN), a coalition of 21 civil society organisations and individuals working to ensure that no person is detained in Malaysia due to immigration status.

“Immigration detention and deprivation of liberty harms children mentally and physically. International clinical studies show the serious impact that even short periods of immigration detention can have on a child’s well-being, growth and development – and that these impacts can be life-long. Detention of any form is never in a child’s best interest and is a violation of their rights,” said EDN in a recent statement.