Shipping Containers Pose Life-Threatening Danger for Child Migrants
Shocking New Report Exposes Horrifying Conditions
In a shocking new report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has exposed the horrifying conditions faced by child migrants who are being transported in shipping containers. The report, titled "Deadly Journeys: The Plight of Child Migrants Transported in Shipping Containers," documents the deaths of at least six children who have suffocated or died of heat stroke while being transported in these dangerous conditions.
Extreme Temperatures and Lack of Ventilation
Shipping containers are not designed to transport people, and they can reach extreme temperatures in both hot and cold weather. The containers lack proper ventilation, which can lead to suffocation. Children are particularly vulnerable to these conditions, as they have smaller bodies and are less able to regulate their body temperature.
HRW's report found that children as young as 10 years old have been transported in shipping containers. In one case, a 12-year-old girl died after being transported in a container that reached temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Smugglers Exploit Desperate Families
The use of shipping containers to transport child migrants is a growing problem, as smugglers exploit desperate families who are seeking a better life for their children. Smugglers often charge exorbitant fees for their services, and they often do not provide adequate food, water, or medical care to their clients.
HRW's report calls on governments to take immediate action to stop the use of shipping containers to transport child migrants. The report recommends that governments increase border security, provide safe and legal pathways for migration, and prosecute smugglers who exploit children.
