Without directly addressing recent US Government immigration-related decrees and directives, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday urged all countries to ensure that migration issues are handled with respect for human rights.
An individual assessment of each asylum application must be maintained, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner stated in Geneva.
The spokesperson also emphasised the importance of protection against collective expulsions, refoulement, and arbitrary arrests and detentions, which violate international law.
Since his inauguration as president on Monday, Donald Trump has suspended all refugee admissions and terminated the US asylum programme.
On Monday, the new acting Director of Homeland Security issued a directive authorising U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to carry out arrests of undocumented migrants in schools and churches, rescinding a guideline that prevented arrests in so-called “sensitive” areas.
The new US measures have also attracted the attention of the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which said it hopes the United States will continue to provide safety to those fleeing violence in various countries.
The UNHCR is reviewing the decree on the suspension of refugee resettlement from third countries. The United States had previously offered the largest number of places on this programme, which saves people fleeing violence, a spokesperson for the UN agency said.
The spokesperson said the agency remained committed to maintaining an “active” and “constructive” dialogue to support refugees.
Both UN entities said they acknowledge each country’s right to manage its migration policy, provided it is conducted in accordance with international law. Every refugee should have access to “effective pathways” to gain safety from persecution, they said.
However, neither UN agency commented directly on this week's decrees.
