A/HRC/35/25 B. Migration: perceptions versus reality All migrants are entitled to human rights, on the basis of the principles of equality and non-discrimination for everyone 14. The Special Rapporteur wishes to recall the New York Declaration, in which States recognized that, in accordance with the obligations of States under international law, refugees and migrants must have comprehensive policy support, assistance and protection and that their human rights and fundamental freedoms and their need to live in safety and dignity must be fully respected. 15. All migrants should be recognized and treated with respect and dignity as equal rights holders, regardless of their migratory status in relation to the sovereign territory in which they find themselves. Under international law, States have the duty to protect migrants at all stages of the migratory process and to provide them with access to justice to remedy any discriminatory treatment or human rights violations that they experience. 16. The Special Rapporteur proposes a fundamental shift in the way that migration is perceived and framed. Migration itself is a natural part of human existence; it is neither a crime nor a problem, and it has the potential to be a solution. Accordingly, migration governance is not a matter of closing off borders and keeping people out, but one of regulating mobility by opening accessible, regular, safe and affordable migration channels and promoting and celebrating diversity. 17. The Special Rapporteur sees a strong need to regulate mobility, which would facilitate migration and the control thereof, instead of restricting migration movements through the use of pushbacks, interception and detention. States must move from a zerotolerance attitude to one of harm reduction, thereby undercutting the criminal organizations responsible for migrant smuggling, addressing the security concerns of States and, ultimately, reducing human suffering and saving lives. If States want to regain control over their borders, migrants should be provided with regular, safe, affordable and accessible mobility channels. 18. In order to regulate mobility effectively, States are required to adopt a whole-ofgovernment approach to migration, taking into account all aspects thereof, including all benefits and challenges in terms of economic growth, demographic changes, cultural diversity, social integration, human rights and respect for the rule of law. By taking a longterm strategic approach, States will be better positioned to respond to the significant imminent demographic, economic, social, political and cultural challenges. Fostering a fact-based public narrative on migration is essential 19. Political rhetoric on migration most often does not reflect reality, notwithstanding facts and figures to the contrary. Such rhetoric shapes public perceptions of migration. Any attempt to develop an agenda for migration should therefore outline, for populations of all countries and for their politicians, an inspiring narrative of how well-governed mobility could contribute to the prosperity and stability of society. 20. According to United Nations statistics for 2015, approximately 244 million people were living outside their countries of origin worldwide, including almost 20 million refugees. Despite a 41 per cent increase compared with 15 years ago, this figure accounts for only 3.3 per cent of the global population in 2015, against 2.8 per cent in 2000. The rate of migration actually slowed down during the period from 2010 to 2015, in contrast to the previous five-year period. Between 2000 and 2015, Asia was the region that received the highest number of additional migrants, with a total of 26 million. 2 21. Ageing populations in some regions have caused a shift in demographics leading to labour shortages. From a purely economic perspective, such demographic shifts will add 2 See Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Migrant Stock: the 2015 Revision. 5