Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 : Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Migrants at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 06 July 2020)

Mr. Vice-President,

1. We thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of the report. Migration is predominantly a positive phenomenon which powers the global economic engine. It helps in reducing inequities, connecting societies as well as bridging demographic and human resource gaps. As such, promoting safety, dignity and rights of all migrants is essential so that migrants can make positive socio-economic contribution to the host countries.

2. We accord priority to ensure all basic rights for migrants particularly those more vulnerable and irrespective of their migratory status. In addition to fulfilling our commitments under the relevant international conventions, which we ratified, we also strive towards realizing the fundamental rights enshrined in other multilateral treaties, to our specific context. Our national institutional framework on issues related to migrant welfare and protection has undergone a transformational change in recent years and is updated regularly to address the emerging challenges on migrants.

Mr. Vice-President,

3. The report encourages all States to grant the right to freedom of association to all migrants to facilitate in voicing their concerns and to enable collective bargaining of their rights with concerned authorities. We take note of the restrictive trends towards the freedom of association for migrants across the globe as highlighted in the report.

4. We understand that pergent priorities by States shape policies and approach towards migration and migrants. In a world of growing interconnectedness, we could, however, comprehend further movement of humans. We, therefore, underline the importance of regular channels of migration to prevent migration related problems. This approach may help in preventing discriminatory and exploitative impact on migrants particularly on their access to employment, basic amenities and rights.

The full statement will be uploaded in the extranet.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

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