UN says migrant children should not be separated from families

UNITED NATIONS: In a rare criticism of the United States, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that migrant children should not be separated from their families at the US-Mexico border.

"As a matter of principle, the secretary-general believes that refugees and migrants should always be treated with respect and dignity, and in accordance with existing international law," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. "Children must not be traumatized by being separated from their parents. Family unity must be preserved," he added.

UN rights chief Zeid Ra´ad Al Hussein also spoke out against the US administration´s policy of separating migrant families, saying "the thought that any state would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable." About 2,000 children have been separated from their parents or adult guardians over six weeks, according to US authorities.