Build on commitments to govern large movements of refugees and migrants – Ki-moon
Governments have been called upon to honour and build on their commitments to govern large movements of refugees and migrants in a way that is compassionate, people-centered, gender-responsive and rooted in fundamental human rights.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon made this call in his message available on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP’s) website during the celebration of the International migrants day Sunday December 18, 2016.
“Every migrant is a human being with human rights. Protecting and upholding the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their status, is a foundational element of the New York Declaration,” he said.
“To accomplish this, we need stronger international cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination that is guided by international law and standards,” he added.
He further called on all to reject intolerance, discrimination and policies driven by xenophobic rhetoric and the scapegoating of migrants and also stressed that those who abuse and seek to harm migrants must be held to account.
A sustainable response to migration needs to address the drivers of forced and precarious movements of people.
He acknowledged that although the year has been another turbulent one for refugees and migrants, there are also rays of hope, with concerned citizens and communities opening their arms and hearts and a promising international response, culminating with the New York Declaration adopted in September at the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants.
Good governance of migration also demands expanding legal channels for safe migration, including for family reunification, for labour mobility at all skill levels and educational opportunities for children and adults, as well as decriminalizing irregular migration and regularizing the status of undocumented migrants.
Mr Ban Ki-moon said that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers an opportunity to ensure that the needs of the most marginalized, including migrants, are made a priority so that no one is left behind.
“On this International Migrants Day, I call on the international community to act on the global compact on safe, regular and orderly migration as an important contribution to building a world of peace, prosperity, dignity and opportunity for all, he concluded.
Migrant workers account for 150.3 million of the world’s approximately 232 million international migrants, according to a study by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The theme for this year’s event was “Diversity and Integration: The Integration of Migrants in the Fields of Employment Health and Education.”
By Pamela Ofori-Boateng
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