The following statement was delivered by Luxembourg on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants during the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Mr. President,

I deliver this statement on behalf of members of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect.

Around the world, forced displacement is a consequence of political instability, conflicts, violence, and environmental degradation. The risk of, or commission of atrocity crimes often contributes to forced displacement. Along migration routes, individuals are at risk of being frequently subjected to human rights violations and abuses, including human trafficking, smuggling, and violence at the hands of state and non-state actors.

Xenophobia, hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric against migrants often perpetuate cycles of marginalization and exclusion. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his efforts to counter negative discourses around migration by highlighting the important contributions migrants make to societies and economies with their new perspectives, diverse skills, innovative ideas and entrepreneurship.

We encourage Member States to ensure and support safe and regular pathways for migration and foster information exchange and cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination based on their shared and respective responsibilities. It is also necessary to combat trafficking and migrant smuggling, develop domestic public policies to tackle xenophobia and hate speech, and prevent human rights violations and abuses against members of migrant communities, as well as other forms of insecurity. Ensuring the protection of migrants, particularly those in vulnerable situations, at all stages of their migration in a holistic approach is a central element of atrocity prevention and response efforts.

Thank you.

ANNEX: Sponsors – Members of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect – Geneva

Chair

1. Luxembourg
2. Costa Rica

African States

3. Botswana
4. Côte d’Ivoire
5. Ghana
6. Liberia
7. Mali
8. Morocco
9. Mozambique
10. Nigeria
11. Rwanda
12. Senegal
13. Sierra Leone
14. South Sudan
15. Tanzania

Asia-Pacific States

16. Bangladesh
17. Japan
18. Marshall Islands
19. Qatar
20. Republic of Korea
21. Singapore

Eastern European States

22. Bosnia and Herzegovina
23. Bulgaria
24. Croatia
25. Czech Republic
26. Romania
27. Slovakia
28. Slovenia

Latin American and Caribbean States

29. Chile
30. Guatemala
31. Mexico
32. Panama
33. Peru
34. Uruguay

Western European and other States

35. Australia
36. Belgium
37. Canada
38. Denmark
39. Finland
40. France
41. Germany
42. Ireland
43. Italy
44. Liechtenstein
45. Netherlands
46. New Zealand
47. Portugal
48. Spain
49. Switzerland

Others

50. European Union