STATUS OF THE ORPHANS OF TOWER KEEP
The eleven Irreo children held captive as part of a Discard Trade slave operation have been given refugee status by the Federation
DS-13, Aldebaran: On Stardate 93443.1, assets of the 38th Fleet were dispatched to investigate actionable intelligence on an on-going smuggling operation, in our continuing efforts to assist in ending the Discard Trade of Irreo eggs. This information took those assets to the Tower Keep system, where they were able to take control of a facility used to incubate Irreo eggs for the purpose of enslaving the resulting hatched Irreo. Based on information recovered, we learned that this facility had been in operation for the past twenty-eight years, and was a major regional hub for these illegal activities. Several suspects were taken into custody, and investigations continue into the extent of their criminal network, customer base and support system.
Besides incubation equipment, the raid also resulted in the discovery of six unhatched Irreo eggs, which were returned to Echomet authorities for their own investigation, and care. And along with the eggs were eleven Irreo children ranging in age from six to nine years. These children were kept in captivity on the slaver base for their entire lives, hatched with an aim towards forced servitude. Their upkeep given to a medical hologram, they were provided with only enough education for their eventual roles as slaves. While their physical and cognitive abilities are near what might be expected of children of their age group, it is undeniable that the children have been traumatized by the experience.
A return mission to determine the status of these eleven Irreo children was carried out on Stardate 93450.3, the goal of which was to discover the will of the children themselves as to their own futures. The Irreo children, who can understand Federation Basic due to their care from the medical hologram, were given an explanation of their current legal status. They were also provided with options available to them as far as placement, with information on their potential rights under Echomet and Federation law, and given a choice as to their next destination. This explanation took place under the supervision of the Mission Commander, the Fleet Judge Advocate, a Psychiatrist and a Mission Specialist tasked with providing the children with unbiased information.
In addition, the children were allowed to speak for themselves, using the Electrokinetic Interface Mk. V Rev 2. system, a translation unit developed by the Engineering Department on Deep Space Thirteen for the express purpose of allowing Irreo to vocalize electronically, while using their native sign language. These children have a basic understanding of that sign language, and were able to quickly and easily express themselves in a way that was understood by the Starfleet team assigned to listen to them. These devices are relatively unobtrusive, and simple enough for the children to use. After the explanations were concluded, the children consulted amongst themselves and gave a unanimous and unambiguous request to return with our team to DS-13 for further care.
The children were assigned a legal guardian, who is a counselor with a focus in childhood development, and they were also given refugee status under interstellar law based on the legal determination of our Judge Advocate, as they are not Echomet citizens and showed no desire to be settled on Echomet Prime. They are currently being provided with best care available to them on DS-13, and full educational opportunities. With any information on their species, Echomet Prime, or the Irreo specifically, provided on request.
With 38th Fleet Executive Officer, Rear Admiral Neema Perim stating the following, "The Federation isn't going to force them to reside on Echomet if they don't want to... To be clear, these children have never been to Echomet. They may have been conceived there, but they were born in space... If they decide they want to travel to Echomet, that option will remain available to them. If they request information about Echomet, or the possibility of travelling there, we'll provide it, to the best of our ability."
The 38th Fleet has been in contact with the Echomet World Union, and has acknowledged their request for the return of these children to Echomet Prime. We've decided to give these children the freedom to make their own determination, in that regard. While we desire continued cooperation in combatting the Discard Trade, our most pressing concern must be the welfare of the children above all other considerations, political or otherwise.
The children have been assigned a caseworker who can get the process of Federation citizenship started, if that's what they decide they want. That being said, the long term legal status of these eleven children will be a choice they make themselves. We're doing everything in our power to care for the children, giving them the information to make their own decisions, and letting them know what those decisions mean for their lives. We're prepared to do so as long as it is the desire of the children, and only that long. They have inalienable rights, and we will respect and honor them totally.
All media inquiries into this release should be sent through the Fleet PAO.
About the 38th Fleet: 38th Fleet ARGO's mission is to support Starfleet with forward deployed forces that are ready to support scientific and exploration missions as well as act to maintain the security of Federation space. We are Starfleet's primary security assurance in this sector. We will provide ready forces to secure our region as well as deploy forces throughout Federation space and areas of interest to support Starfleet missions. We are on the scientific and exploration frontier for the Federation. It is the desire of this command to make science and exploration the pinnacle of all of our operations, with the understanding that security may sometimes override this desire. We are ambassadors of the Federation. Our efforts in this area will be foremost considered in all decisions made with both new encounters and previously established relationships. We will be an organization exemplified by decisive action, innovative thinking, and a culture of professionalism and integrity.
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