Secretary General António Guterres recognizes more than 80% of people crossing borders safely and orderly as a powerful driver of “economic growth, dynamism and understanding”.
“But unchecked migration along increasingly dangerous routes – the cruel domain of human traffickers – continues to pose a terrible cost,” he continued in his post. message marking the date.
Death and Disappearance
Over the past eight years, at least 51,000 migrants have died and thousands more are missing, the top UN official said.
“Behind every number is a person – sister, brother, daughter, son, mother or father,” he said, reminding that “Migrant rights are human rights“.
“They must be respected without discrimination – and regardless of whether their movement is compulsory, voluntary or officially authorized.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets with South Sudanese refugees awaiting resettlement at Camp Imvepi, in Uganda.
‘Doing everything possible’
Mr. Guterres called on the world to “do everything possible” to prevent loss of life – as a humanitarian imperative, moral and legal obligation.
And he has pushed for search and rescue efforts, medical care, expansion and diversification of rights-based migration routes, and more international investment in countries of origin “to ensure Migration is an option, not a necessity.
“There is no migration crisis; there is a crisis of solidarity,” concluded the Secretary-General. “Today and every day, let us defend our common humanity and guarantee the rights and dignity of all.”
There is no migration crisis; there is a crisis of solidarity – UN Secretary General
Exercise basic rights
For his part, the head of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, sheds light on the protection of the rights of the world’s 169 million migrant workers.
“The international community must do better to ensure… [that they] able to exercise their basic human and labor rights”, he wrote in his message of the day.
The ILO’s top official pointed out that keeping them from exercising basic rights leaves migrant workers “invisible, vulnerable and undervalued for their contribution to society”. festival”.
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And when they come across race, ethnicity and gender, they become even more vulnerable to all forms of discrimination.
Mr. Houngbo noted that migrants are not only missing in risky and desperate journeys.
“Many migrant workers in domestic work, agriculture and others are isolated and out of reach of those who can protect them,” with undocumented people particularly at risk of abuse. use.
Making fair labor migration a reality
Fair Labor Migration
Meanwhile, the ILO supports governments, employers and workers to make fair labor migration a reality.
Like all workers, migrant workers are entitled to international labor standards and human rights protections, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, non-discrimination and a working environment. safe and healthy work, affirmed the head of the ILO.
They also need to enjoy the patronage, development and recognition of society.
To make these rights a reality, Mr. Houngbo stressed the key importance of fair employment, including eliminating recruitment fees for migrant workers, which can help to eradicate human trafficking and labor. coercive action.
The injustices suffered by migrant workers are injustices to all of us – Director of the ILO
“Access to decent work is an important strategy to realize the development potential and contribution of migrants to society,” he said.
“We must recognize that the injustices that immigrant workers suffer are also injustices to all of us. We have to do better.”
‘The foundation of development’
Meanwhile, in you messageThe head of the International Organization for Migration (IMO), António Vitorino, describes migrants as “the cornerstone of development and progress”.
“We cannot let the politicization of migration, hostility and divisive narratives keep us away from our most important values,” he urged.
Regardless of what forces people to move, “their rights must be respected”, the IMO chief stressed.
Message from the General Director on the occasion of International Day of Migrants
