migration

Migrants and asylum-seekers, mostly Syrian Kurds, have crowded into an abandoned schoolhouse on the outskirts of the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
IRIN/Jodi Hilton

Rights expert urges establishing UN body to address global migration issues

25 October 2013
Urging enhanced global migration governance, the United Nations independent expert on the human rights of migrants called today for the establishment of a single, rights-based international body, preferably within the UN system, to comprehensively tackle the myriad aspects of the phenomenon.
The Italian coastguard brings survivors of Thursday's tragedy to the harbour in Lampedusa. AMSA/UNHCR

UN labour agency urges revision of migration policies after Lampedusa incident

5 October 2013
The head of the United Nations labour agency today called for a revision of labour migration and border policies in the aftermath of a boat carrying an estimated 500 migrants capsizing off the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Mark Garten (file photo)

Ban reiterates support for inter-agency collaboration on migration and development

4 October 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged a United Nations-backed group to improve coordination in the field and aid in building capacity of Governments to promote work on migration and development.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the opening of the General Assembly’s High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development.
UN Photo/Sarah Fretwell

At high-level meeting, Ban puts forward recommendations to ‘make migration work’

3 October 2013
The General Assembly High-level Dialogue on Migration and Development opened today in New York with a call from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to implement measures that protect the rights of millions of migrants as well as recognize their contributions to society.
Malawian migrants fleeing attacks in Tanzania are stranded in the northern city of Mzuzu without funds to continue their journeys home.
IRIN/Sanje Msiska

Ahead of high-level meeting, UN officials spotlight migrants’ contribution to societies

2 October 2013
United Nations officials today highlighted the plight of international migrants, stressing that countries should increase efforts to protect their rights while finding ways to integrate their contributions to society into the post-2015 development agenda.
Migrant workers in India cook a meal.
World Bank/Curt Carnemark

Government policies on migration should place people at centre – UN human rights chief

4 September 2013
With more than 215 million migrants around the world, the top United Nations human rights official today reminded Governments that migration is fundamentally about people, and called for the creation of human rights-based policies to more effectively address the issue.
General Assembly President Vuk Jeremić (right) addresses informal interactive hearings.
UN Photo

UN hearings offer civil society opportunity to help shape global debate on migration

15 July 2013
The President of the General Assembly today urged representatives of civil society to help shape the debate on migration and development, especially how to harness the benefits of this phenomenon for the common good and for the prosperity of all nations, rich and poor.