Impact of the criminalization of migration on the protection and enjoyment of human rights 2010, para. 20
Paragraph
Paragraph text
In line with the above, the Special Rapporteur wishes to stress that the use of criminal law in the field of migration seldom serves the purpose of making migration safer, more secure or protected. As highlighted recently by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, "criminal law is designed to punish individuals who harm other individuals or the society at large" and crimes of border crossing or stays on the territory of a State beyond a permitted period "are victimless crimes" and do not pose any harm to the society at large, but, if at all, "to the integrity of the State's border and immigration control laws".
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Governance & Rule of Law
Movement
Person(s) affected
Persons on the move
Year
2010
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Migrants, Report to the UNGA (2010), A/65/222, para. 20.