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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Diane Taylor

Fear of X-ray age tests in UK ‘may force child asylum seekers to flee’

Asylum seekers at a drop-in centre in Folkestone, Kent
Asylum seekers at a drop-in centre in Folkestone, Kent. The age assessment tests are expected to come into force next year. Photograph: Andy Aitchison/The Guardian

Children seeking asylum in the UK may run away and disappear because of fears of being subjected to X-rays and bone scans to verify their ages, human rights campaigners have said.

In a measure introduced to parliament the Ministry of Justice said it would authorise medical tests to help determine the ages of young asylum seekers. The Home Office will then use the tests, consisting of X-rays of the teeth and wrist bones as well as MRI scans of knees and collar bones, as part of the age assessment process.

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