A/RES/74/148 Protection of migrants particularly at a time when migration flows have increased in the globalized economy and take place in a context of continued security concerns, Acknowledging the complexity of migratory flows and that international migration movements also occur within the same geographical regions, and in this context calling for a better understanding of migration patterns across and within regions, Deeply concerned at the large and growing number of migrants, especially women and children, including those unaccompanied or separated from their parents, who place themselves in a vulnerable situation by crossing or attempting to cross international borders, and recognizing the obligation of States to respect the human rights of those migrants in accordance with their applicable international human rights obligations, Recognizing the importance of coordinating international efforts to provide assistance and support to migrants in vulnerable situations and, as appropriate, facilitate their voluntary and safe return to their countries of origin or procedures for determining the need for international protection while respecting the principle of non-refoulement, Bearing in mind the obligations of States under international law, as applicable, to exercise due diligence to prevent crimes targeting migrants and to investigate and punish perpetrators, and that not doing so violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of victims, Affirming that migrant smuggling and crimes against migrants, including trafficking in persons, continue to pose a serious challenge and require a concerted international assessment and response and strengthened multilateral cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination for their eradication, Bearing in mind that policies and initiatives on the issue of migration, including those that refer to the orderly management of migration, should promote holistic approaches that take into account the causes and consequences of the phenomenon, as well as full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, Stressing the importance of all regulations and laws regarding irregular migration, at all levels of government, being in accordance with the obligations of States under international law, including international human rights law, Expressing concern at the increasing trend of xenophobia and hostility towards migrants in societies, which has a negative impact on the fulfilment of human rights globally, Stressing the obligation of States to protect the human rights of migrants regardless of their migration status, including when implementing their specific migration and border security policies, and expressing its concern at measures which, including in the context of policies aimed at reducing irregular migration, treat irregular migration as a criminal rather than an administrative offence, where the effect of doing so is to deny migrants the full e njoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in this regard recalling that sanctions and the treatment given to irregular migrants should be commensurate with their offences, Aware that, as criminals take advantage of migratory flows and attempt to circumvent restrictive immigration policies and border controls, migrants become more vulnerable to, inter alia, kidnapping, extortion, forced labour, sexual exploitation, physical assault, debt bondage and abandonment, 4/11 19-22252