Human rights must be central in all discussions on migrants - UN experts

GENEVA, Dec 1 (KUNA) -- A group of UN experts on Friday urged member states to ensure a human rights-centered approach when developing the global compact for migration.
"States should take a strong stand against discrimination and demonstrate that hate speech, violence, stigmatization and scapegoating cannot be tolerated. States must take proactive measures to change the narrative on migration, to combat racism and xenophobia, and to emphasize the positive contributions of migrants and refugees, who bring diversity and enrich societies, cultures and economies across the world," said the experts in a statement.
Urgent and long-term measures are needed to foster social and economic environments which enable migrants to become fully integrated with the local population, without discrimination on any grounds.
"We need reforms in the legal, institutional, political, policy and social sectors to foster integration and solidarity," the statement added.
"We urge States to refrain from using 'deterrence measures'. We are concerned at the ongoing conditions faced by migrants, including overcrowded reception centers, poor healthcare, insufficient food, poor sanitary facilities, immigration detention, 'push-backs' on land and at sea, and restricted access to regular migration channels," the experts said.
"Negative and inhumane conditions for migrants and increasingly rigid migratory policies will not stop migration, but will only increase human suffering and create a situation in which migrants are exposed to a heightened risk of becoming victims of human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and unlawful death. States must now commit to a global compact which reflects their human rights obligations." The UN experts are Mr. Felipe Gonzalez Morales, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Ms. E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Ms. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Mr. Obiora C. Okafor, Independent expert on human rights and international solidarity; Mr. Nils Melzer, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Ms. Urmila Bhoola, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences; and Mr. Bernard Duhaime, Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. (end) ta.msa