A/RES/68/179 Protection of migrants Stressing also 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 enjoyment 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, migrants become more vulnerable to, inter alia, kidnapping, extortion, forced labour, sexual exploitation, physical assault, debt servitude and abandonment, Recognizing the contributions of young migrants to countries of origin and destination, and in that regard encouraging States to consider the specific circumstances and needs of young migrants, Concerned about 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 attempting to cross international borders without the required travel documents, and recognizing the obligation of States to respect the human rights of those migrants, Recognizing the importance of having a comprehensive and balanced approach to international migration, and bearing in mind that migration enriches the economic, political, social and cultural fabric of States and the historical and cultural ties that exist among some regions, Recognizing also the obligations of countries of origin, transit and destination under international human rights law, Underlining the importance for States, in cooperation with civil society, including non-governmental organizations, workers’ organizations and the private sector, among other relevant stakeholders, to undertake information campaigns aimed at clarifying opportunities, limitations, risks and rights in the event of migration in order to enable everyone to make informed decisions and to prevent anyone from utilizing dangerous means to cross international borders, Calls upon States to promote and protect effectively the human rights 1. and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migration status, especially those of women and children, and to address international migration through international, regional or bilateral cooperation and dialogue and a comprehensive and balanced approach, recognizing the roles and responsibilities of countries of origin, transit and destination in promoting and protecting the human rights of all migrants and avoiding approaches that might aggravate their vulnerability; 2. Expresses its concern about the impact of financial and economic crises and natural disasters on international migration and migrants, and in that regard urges Governments to combat unfair and discriminatory treatment of migrants, in particular migrant workers and their families; 3. Reaffirms the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2 and the obligations of States under the International Covenants on Human Rights, 3 and in this regard: (a) Strongly condemns the acts, manifestations and expressions of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance against migrants and the 4/9