Climate Refugees is one of over 200 civil society organizations to sign onto a recent letter to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) regarding the global phenomenon of deaths, torture and other grave human rights violations faced by people in transit across international borders.
As chilling details continue to emerge regarding the sinking of a ship in Greek waters on 14 June, in which hundreds of migrants lost their lives, it is critical that member and observer states to the HRC take action to address the serious and ongoing violations experienced by migrants at borders, as well as the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia that underpins a failed system of international migration governance.
In recognition that the status-quo is not only ineffective but unjust, the letter calls for the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to investigate rights violations and contribute to accountability and redress for victims. Despite the work of Special Rapporteurs and the HRC itself, rights violations at borders continue with impunity.
There is an urgent opportunity for states to position themselves as champions of a more just and humane migration governance system, but it will require a “new and stronger” response from the HRC.
Read the letter (in English) below. Versions in French and Spanish can be found here.