UN rights experts hail three countries\\\' steps not to push back migrants

A group of United Nations human rights experts welcomed the Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai leaders' decision not to push back migrants and asylum seekers arriving in their territorial waters, reports UNB.

They also urged the international community to assist the countries affected by supporting financially and materially their efforts to protect the human rights of all migrants, according to a message received in Dhaka from Geneva.

"This is an important and welcome step forward in recognition of the need to protect the right to life for all, regardless of their status," said the UN Special Rapporteurs on migrants, François Crépeau; on trafficking in persons, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro; on torture, Juan E. Méndez; and on summary executions, Christof Heyns.  

"Pushbacks conducted against migrants and asylum seekers which may also include victims of trafficking are never a good option. They only end up perpetuating the suffering of children, women and men who are already risking death for a better life," they stressed.

The independent experts noted that allowing migrants and asylum seekers to disembark reinforces the commitment of these three countries to their international human rights obligations.