When the UK signed the convention in 1991 it refused to accept a section prohibiting the imprisonment of children with adults. It had also retained an opt-out allowing child migrants and asylum seekers to be locked up without judicial scrutiny.
The convention requires countries to put the best interests of a child first. But the UK's opt-out meant this did not apply to the entry, stay or departure of children seeking asylum.
The move follows a review of the convention by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. "We want every child to be as safe and secure as possible," she said. "While the lifting of the immigration reservation does not mean that every child who comes to the UK will be entitled to remain here, it does signal our commitment to treat children in the UK immigration system with compassion."
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