La Strada International welcomes the upcoming report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants which will explore ways and means to address the impact of pushbacks of migrants on land and at sea. La Strada International sent in a submission. focusing on push backs impacting on the identification of victims of trafficking and their access to rights.
Practices and policies of pushbacks are an increasing phenomenon at Europe’s borders and these actions relating to refusal of entry into a country of persons seeking protection is in clear violation of the rights of asylum-seekers, refugees and other migrants, including those that may be victims of severe forms of exploitation, including human trafficking. Not only should fair migration policies be promoted, migrants should also be enabled to seek asylum and protection against non-refoulement which are at the core of international refugee and human rights law. The report of the UNSR will be presented to the 47th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2021.