The United Nations ranks all countries on an index known as the Human Development Index (HDI). This index indicates how countries are tracking towards the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). Inequalities in human development hurt societies and weaken social cohesion and people’s trust in government, institutions and each other. They prevent people from reaching their full potential and make it harder for decisions that benefit the common good and our common home. Inequalities in human development are not just about disparities in income and wealth. For children, inequalities affect their ability to achieve a good education, health and future careers.
Cambodia is ranked 146 out of 189 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index with 50% of the population under the age of 25. On average, a classroom in Cambodia has 42 children and approximately 23% of children do not complete their primary education. 32.4 % of children under 5 suffer malnutrition or stunted growth and 18% of girls are married or in union before they are 17 years of age.
Due to factors such as these, children in countries like Cambodia are more at risk of exploitation and abuse. On top of this, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced more children “onto the streets to search for food and money, thus increasing their risk of exploitation. School closures have not only blocked access to education but also a source of shelter and food for millions of children. The UN recently reported that some 370 million students worldwide are now missing out on school meals, often their only reliable source of nutrition”.
Even in Australia, some children are at risk and slip through the gaps of society. Marginalised communities, such as refugees and people seeking asylum, are often not afforded the same rights as other people in our community. Australia is the only country in the world to detain children who seek asylum as a first option, rather than last option. Australia’s treatment of children who come here seeking asylum is in breach of our international human rights obligations including, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred because we are all created in the image and likeness of God and all people have the right to live a dignified life in their homeland. Tragically, in June 2019 the UN Refugee body advised a new record of 71 million have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 25.9 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18.
War, natural disaster, persecution and discrimination have deprived millions of people of their home, employment, family and homeland. Regardless of a person’s citizenship, visa status or mode of arrival, the human dignity and human rights of people seeking asylum must be respected. Many people seeking asylum are already survivors of crimes, torture and trauma and indefinite detention adds further stress and suffering and may impact mental and physical health.
We are also taught that the most vulnerable people are not simply those who are in a needy situation to whom we kindly offer an act of solidarity but are members of our family with whom we have a duty to share the resources we have. All people have a right to be welcomed as part of a community. Jesus even identifies himself as a stranger to be welcomed, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).