Blog: Without papers but not without rights: the basic social rights of irregular migrants

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Series Details 20.08.15
Publication Date 20/08/2015
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Nils Muižnieks, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, wrote in a major blog contribution in August 2015 in the context of the migration challenges currently facing Europe.

He wrote that 'Those who think that irregular migrants have no rights because they have no papers are wrong. Everyone is a holder of human rights regardless of their status ... member states of the Council of Europe should stand by their obligations to protect the basic social rights of everyone under their jurisdiction, and this includes irregular migrants'.

See also the comments by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau made in statement on the 25 August 2015 'Let’s not pretend that what the EU and its member states are doing is working. Migration is here to stay ... Building fences, using tear gas and other forms of violence against migrants and asylum seekers, detention, withholding access to basics such as shelter, food or water and using threatening language or hateful speech will not stop migrants from coming or trying to come to Europe'.

He called on the European Union to establish a human rights-based, coherent and comprehensive migration policy which makes mobility its central asset. 'It is the only way in which the EU can reclaim its border, effectively combat smuggling and empower migrants' .

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/without-papers-but-not-without-rights-the-basic-social-rights-of-irregular-migrants
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Finding solutions to migratory pressures http://www.europeansources.info/record/finding-solutions-to-migratory-pressures/
ESO: Background information: A European Response to Migration: Showing solidarity and sharing responsibility http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-a-european-response-to-migration-showing-solidarity-and-sharing-responsibility/
UN: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: News, 25.08.15: Migrant crisis: “Let’s not pretend Europe’s response is working” – UN rights expert warns http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16344&LangID=E#
UN: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Report: Banking on mobility over a generation: follow-up to the regional study on the management of the external borders of the European Union and its impact on the human rights of migrants, May 2015 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session29/Documents/A_HRC_29_36_ENG.doc
ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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