Geneva, On International Migrants Day, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants Gehad Madi emphasized the importance of combating prejudice, discrimination, racism, and xenophobia to ensure the protection and fulfillment of migrants’ human rights. Madi’s statement highlighted the need for empowering migrants and recognizing their contributions to society.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Madi stressed that addressing the lack of human rights-based migration governance is crucial to prevent severe human rights violations faced by migrants and their families. These violations span across countries of origin, transit, and destination, affecting fundamental rights such as life, liberty, security, and access to adequate housing, health, education, and more.

Madi acknowledged the significant role migration plays in shaping current realities and its potential in addressing common challenges and creating opportunities for development and cooperation. Looking ahead to the United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024, the Special Rapporteur urged Member States to ensure that migrants’ human rights are a central part of the discussions and the action-oriented Pact for the Summit.

The Special Rapporteur called for legal frameworks that are people-centred, human rights-based, and gender-responsive, advocating for the social inclusion of all groups, including migrants, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Such frameworks should enhance migrants’ ability, opportunity, and dignity to integrate fully into societies.

Furthermore, marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Madi urged States and stakeholders to reaffirm their commitments to the principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, and accountability enshrined in the UDHR, extending these principles to migrants as well.

The statement by the UN Special Rapporteur serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by migrants globally and the imperative to uphold their human rights in both policy and practice.