A/HRC/47/30
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
12 May 2021
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Forty-seventh session
21 June–9 July 2021
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report on means to address the human rights impact of
pushbacks of migrants on land and at sea*
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants,
Felipe González Morales
Summary
The present report, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution
43/6, provides an account of the activities undertaken by the Special Rapporteur on the
human rights of migrants, Felipe González Morales, during the reporting period. It also
provides a thematic study on means to address the human rights impact of pushbacks of
migrants on land and at sea.
The practice of “pushbacks” is widespread and exists along most migration routes.
Pushbacks manifest an entrenched prejudice against migrants and demonstrate a denial of
States’ international obligations to protect the human rights of migrants at international
borders. The report provides an examination of current pushback practices and trends and an
analysis of their impact on the human rights of migrants. The Special Rapporteur concludes
that, in the absence of an individualized assessment for each migrant concerned and other
procedural safeguards, pushbacks result in human rights violations incompatible with States’
obligations under international human rights law, in particular, the prohibition of collective
expulsion and refoulement.
* Agreement was reached to publish the present report after the standard publication date owing to
circumstances beyond the submitter’s control.
GE.21-05969(E)