LWF and partners call for an international mechanism to address the global pattern of human rights violations against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants at international borders at the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Refugees arrive at the train station in northeast Hungary after crossing the border from Ukraine. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Ensuring protection and accountability at international borders
(LWI) - From 2014 to May 2023 the Missing Migrants Project recorded 55,980 reported deaths of people in migration worldwide. Expressing concerns that these deaths are often not effectively investigated, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and 193 civil society organizations are calling on the Human Rights Council to take action in protecting migrants and enforcing accountability to uphold their rights.
The letter expressed deep concern about policies and practices of migration governance that lead to deaths, torture and other grave human rights violations. “The serious, systematic and widespread nature of human rights violations and abuses at and around international borders has been reported to the Human Rights Council on multiple occasions” the letter states. “A new and stronger response drawing on and complementing the work of the Special Rapporteur is needed.”
The LWF and the 193 civil society organizations that signed the letter are calling on the Human Rights Council to establish an independent international monitoring mechanism to investigate violations. This would include looking into root causes of the violations, building accountability and providing amends for victims and their families.
Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have human rights that must be protected.
NGO statement at Human Rights Council
"Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have human rights that must be protected. The incidences of death, injury and suffering, be it in the Mediterranean Sea, or elsewhere must be addressed urgently. An international mechanism, such as the one we are calling for is needed in order to strengthen accountability and adherence to international human rights and humanitarian laws,” says Isaiah Toroitich, LWF’s Head of Global Advocacy.
“The current state of affairs is severe and needs an equally strong, compassionate and systematic response.”
