Withdrawal of the Reservation to Article 22 of the Convention on the rights of the child.
Myth 1
The State must grant citizenship to refugee and asylum-seeking children
FACT
Article 22 does not obligate the State to grant legal status to refugee and asylum- seeking children. Instead, it requires states to take “appropriate measures” to ensure the protection and well-being of these children
Myth 2
The State has to impose additional protection to refugee and asylum-seeking children
FACT
Article 22 of the CRC focuses on the protection of refugee and asylum-seeking children. It does not require any additional or special obligations beyond what the State is already required to prouide under the Convention
Myth 3
Withdrawing the Reservation to Article 22 will prompt the State to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention
Fact
Withdrawing a reservation does not create any obligation or commitment for the State to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and its Protocol. However, the Committee encourages the State Party to join important international treaties, to ensure better protection for children.
Note : Article 22 of the CRC obligates countries to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to refugee children and ensure they enjoy the same rights as other children. Thailand ratified the CRC in 1992, making a reservation to Article 22 among other articles. This reservation meant that Thailand was not fully committed to implementing the provisions of Article 22 related to refugee children. Now, by withdrawing from Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child or withdrawing its prior objection, there is a discrepancy between Myth and Fact in the public community.