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Brexit impact on north's kids raised by EU Children's Commissioners

Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

YOUNG people from both sides of the border will today explore how Brexit could affect them.

It's Our Brexit Too will also bring together the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Republic's Ombudsman for Children.

It follows a letter in which 23 countries' commissioners highlighted the fragility of the north's peace process and called for decisions about Brexit to be formally assessed to avoid regression of children's rights.

Northern Ireland commissioner Koulla Yiasouma said children needed to be "fully protected from child trafficking, child abduction and child sexual exploitation".

"Detailed consideration must also be given to how the European Arrest Warrant and other cross border child protection measures are going to function," she said.

"Children from the UK living in other EU Countries, and Children from other EU countries living in the UK are uncertain about their status and residency rights, this has a profound and unsettling impact on their lives. Reaching an agreement on this issue must be an absolute priority.

Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, added: "Young people have a right to be heard and to have their views considered. As Brexit will, without a doubt affect them, we have brought together a cross-border group of young people who, have taken the lead in organising this event and inviting some key officials."