Dec. 18 marks the International Migrants Day, which aims to protect the basic and human rights of the migrants.
The theme of this year is "Integrating migrants into primary health care".
On his message on International Migrants Day, Antonio Guterres said: “We reflect on the lives of the over 280 million people who left their country in the universal pursuit of opportunity, dignity, freedom, and a better life. Today, over 80 per cent of the world’s migrants cross borders in a safe and orderly fashion. This migration is a powerful driver of economic growth, dynamism, and understanding.”
“Behind each number is a human being – a sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, or father.Migrant rights are human rights. They must be respected without discrimination – and irrespective of whether their movement is forced, voluntary, or formally authorized," Guterres noted.
He also called on world to do everything possible to prevent the loss of life – as a humanitarian imperative and a moral and legal obligation.
“We must provide for search and rescue efforts and medical care. We must expand and diversify rights-based pathways for migration – to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and address labour market shortages,” he affirmed. “We need greater international support for investments in countries of origin to ensure migration is a choice, not a necessity.”
“There is no migration crisis; there is a crisis of solidarity. Today and every day, let us safeguard our common humanity and secure the rights and dignity of all,” he concluded.
In 2000, the General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, declared 18 December International Migrants Day.
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