Draft outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General
Assembly on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants
A/RES/70/302
2.
We have considered today how the international community should best respond
to the growing global phenomenon of large movements of refugees and migrants.
3.
We are witnessing in today’s world an unprecedented level of human mobility.
More people than ever before live in a country other than the one in which they
were born. Migrants are present in all countries in the world. Most of them move
without incident. In 2015, their number surpassed 244 million, growing at a rate
faster than the world’s population. However, there are roughly 65 million forcibly
displaced persons, including over 21 million refugees, 3 million asylum seekers and
over 40 million internally displaced persons.
4.
In adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 1 one year ago, we
recognized clearly the positive contribution made by migrants for inclusive growth
and sustainable development. Our world is a better place for that contribution. The
benefits and opportunities of safe, orderly and regular migration are substantial and
are often underestimated. Forced displacement and irregular migration in large
movements, on the other hand, often present complex challenges.
5.
We reaffirm the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
We reaffirm also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2 and recall the core
international human rights treaties. We reaffirm and will fully protect the human
rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status; all are rights holders. Our
response will demonstrate full respect for international law and international human
rights law and, where applicable, international refugee law and international
humanitarian law.
6.
Though their treatment is governed by separate legal frameworks, refugees and
migrants have the same universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. They
also face many common challenges and have similar vulnerabilities, including in the
context of large movements. “Large movements” may be understood to reflect a
number of considerations, including: the number of people arriving, the economic,
social and geographical context, the capacity of a receiving State to respond and the
impact of a movement that is sudden or prolonged. The term does not, for example,
cover regular flows of migrants from one country to another. “Large movements”
may involve mixed flows of people, whether refugees or migrants, who move for
different reasons but who may use similar routes.
7.
Large movements of refugees and migrants have political, economic, social,
developmental, humanitarian and human rights ramifications, which cross all
borders. These are global phenomena that call for global approaches and global
solutions. No one State can manage such movements on its own. Neighbouring or
transit countries, mostly developing countries, are disproportionately affected. Their
capacities have been severely stretched in many cases, affecting their own social
and economic cohesion and development. In addition, protracted refugee crises are
now commonplace, with long-term repercussions for those involved and for their
host countries and communities. Greater international cooperation is needed to
assist host countries and communities.
8.
We declare our profound solidarity with, and support for, the millions of
people in different parts of the world who, for reasons beyond their control, are
forced to uproot themselves and their families from their homes.
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2
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Resolution 70/1.
Resolution 217 A (III).