Putrajaya has been urged to explore alternatives to detaining migrant and refugee children, such as releasing them into the care of NGOs.

Speaking at the “Recover better - Stand Up for Human Rights” forum held today in conjunction with International Human Rights Day, child rights activist Hartini Zainudin raised the alarm over 756 children detained at immigration detention centres as of Oct 26.

Of the 756, more than half (405) are without any parent or adult guardian. Most of the unaccompanied minors (326) are from Myanmar...