The campaign 'No kids behind bars (for immigration reasons) started in 2006. Several non-profit organizations were and still are of the opinion that children without a residence permit must not be put in detention. The coalition 'No children in detention for immigration reasons!' (in which Defence for Children participates) has used all its available means to try and end the detention of innocent children: they have lobbied, they have organized manifestations and they have attracted the attention of the press.

The State Secretary of Justice now has announced that children who are with their parents will only be put in detention when they are to be deported within two weeks. However, children who are separated from their parents may still be detained for longer periods of time. This is, amongst others, in conflict with article 2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (the principle of non-discrimination).

The coalition is glad that in December 2008 the European Commission stated that children should not be in detention for immigration reasons. Unaccompanied minors should never be detained according to the European Commission. Now it is up to the State Secretary and the Minister of Justice to change the Dutch policy so that it is conformity with children's rights.