A/RES/71/1
New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
26. We will continue to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
persons, in transit and after arrival. We stress the importance of addressing the
immediate needs of persons who have been exposed to physical or psychological
abuse while in transit upon their arrival, without discrimination and without regard
to legal or migratory status or means of transportation. For this purpose, we will
consider appropriate support to strengthen, at their request, capacity -building for
countries that receive large movements of refugees and migrants.
27. We are determined to address unsafe movements of refugees and migrants,
with particular reference to irregular movements of refugees and migrants. We will
do so without prejudice to the right to seek asylum. We will combat the exploitation,
abuse and discrimination suffered by many refugees and migrants.
28. We express our profound concern at the large number of people who have lost
their lives in transit. We commend the efforts already made to rescue people in
distress at sea. We commit to intensifying international cooperation on the
strengthening of search and rescue mechanisms. We will also work to improve the
availability of accurate data on the whereabouts of people and vessels stranded at
sea. In addition, we will strengthen support for rescue efforts over land along
dangerous or isolated routes. We will draw attention to the risks inv olved in the use
of such routes in the first instance.
29. We recognize and will take steps to address the particular vulnerabilities of
women and children during the journey from country of origin to country of arrival.
This includes their potential exposure to discrimination and exploitation, as well as
to sexual, physical and psychological abuse, violence, human trafficking and
contemporary forms of slavery.
30. We encourage States to address the vulnerabilities to HIV and the specific
health-care needs experienced by migrant and mobile populations, as well as by
refugees and crisis-affected populations, and to take steps to reduce stigma,
discrimination and violence, as well as to review policies related to restrictions on
entry based on HIV status, with a view to eliminating such restrictions and the
return of people on the basis of their HIV status, and to support their access to HIV
prevention, treatment, care and support.
31. We will ensure that our responses to large movements of refugees and migrant s
mainstream a gender perspective, promote gender equality and the empowerment of
all women and girls and fully respect and protect the human rights of women and
girls. We will combat sexual and gender-based violence to the greatest extent
possible. We will provide access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. We
will tackle the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against refugee and
migrant women and girls. At the same time, recognizing the significant contribution
and leadership of women in refugee and migrant communities, we will work to
ensure their full, equal and meaningful participation in the development of local
solutions and opportunities. We will take into consideration the different needs,
vulnerabilities and capacities of women, girls, boys and men.
32. We will protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all refugee and
migrant children, regardless of their status, and giving primary consideration at all
times to the best interests of the child. This will apply pa rticularly to
unaccompanied children and those separated from their families; we will refer their
care to the relevant national child protection authorities and other relevant
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