Commenting on the suggestion to test migrant children’s teeth to verify their age, Equality and Human Rights Commission chair, David Isaac, said:
The tone of the discussion on child migrants arriving in the UK is becoming irrational. We are seeing the highest number of child refugees since the Second World War. Britain has a proud history of welcoming people that need our help. We have always treated them with respect. Calling for intrusive checks on teeth on those coming from war-torn countries is not the answer. Experts also agree it is not an accurate way to determine age. The best way to protect children’s rights is to treat them as children until proven otherwise. If there is any doubt, age should be verified by an independent expert. We should not resort to determinations by using photographs or computer software.
