UN Expert Finds Rising Violence against Migrants

Jorge Bustamante, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, reported to a UN committee this week that his field visits during the past year have confirmed rising attacks on migrants (See UN News Centre). Bustamante noted that the increasing trend to conduct raids in migrant neighborhoods had led to "to separation of children from their arrested parents, including children born in such countries." (UN News Centre).

He also highlighted concerns about the conditions of migrants in detention. "A number of detained migrants suffer from ill-treatment, lack of medical attention, and abuse. Often, they lack access to justice, as many detained migrants are not granted access to lawyers for their defense," he stated to the committee.

Bustamante found a trend towards viewing migrants as commodities, rather than as people with rights. Countries should include a human rights perspective into their discussions, he urged.

Learn More ...

• Understanding Border Realities: Immigrant Communities Speak United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights of Migrants
  
  The AFSC San Diego office in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) hosted Dr. Jorge A. Bustamante, UN Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights of Migrants. Read more> (PDF 319.71 KB)



• East Coast Visit of United Nations Special Rapporteur: Focus on Family Separation and Detention
  
  AFSC's New York Metro Region Immigrant Rights Program was one of the leading coordinators of the NY/NJ segment of the UN Special Rapporteur's visit to the east coast. Read More> (PDF 119 KB)