A/65/222 that are reasonable and realistic. The use of open centres, directed residence or special accommodation should be developed, with open centres preferred over more restrictive alternatives. 95. Non-custodial measures, such as reporting requirements, should always be explicitly considered before resorting to detention, with the least restrictive measures considered first. The application of alternative measures must itself be governed by international human rights standards, including the basic principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, as well as non-discrimination. Alternative measures must take into account the particular situation of irregular migrants and asylum-seekers, including their frequently unstable financial or housing situation. If any measure is applied unnecessarily or disproportionately, in a discriminatory manner or without due regard to individual factors such as the particular vulnerability of an individual, it could amount to a restriction inconsistent with international human rights standards. Safeguards surrounding alternatives to detention should be as rigorous as those applied to situations of detention, including ensuring that the alternative measure is established in law, is non-discriminatory in purpose and effect and is subject to judicial review, and that the migrant has access to legal counsel. States should always use the least restrictive means necessary as alternatives to detention. 96. States should endeavour to develop these alternatives in consultation with local non-governmental organizations with expertise in meeting the needs of migrants. This could be done, for example, through joint initiatives between Government authorities and non-governmental organizations for release and supervision of irregular migrants. E. 1. Protecting specific groups Protection of asylum-seekers 97. The Special Rapporteur recommends the development of standardized procedures to ensure access to asylum procedures as well as an assessment of the situation in the country of origin or habitual residence of the rejected asylum-seekers before deciding on their repatriation. In this regard, States should follow the several country-specific guidelines issued by UNHCR in order to avoid returning rejected asylum-seekers whose appeals have been exhausted to countries where they may be at risk of human rights violations. 98. States should not consider asylum-seekers as irregular migrants and should follow the guidance provided by UNHCR not to detain asylum-seekers but to house them in open reception centres. 99. States are encouraged to incorporate gender and age considerations into their asylum determination procedures. 2. The protection of children 100. States should ensure the protection of the child in all migration-related circumstances regardless of his or her individual or family immigration status and take the best interest of the child as a primary consideration in all migration-related initiatives and actions concerning children at all levels. 10-47488 23