UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS APPALLED AT RECENT VIOLENT ATTACKS ON MIGRANTS

25 September 2001




The following statement was issued today by Gabriela Rodríguez Pizarro, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants:

"I would like to join many others in making public my feelings of horror and dismay at the immorality and wickedness of the terrorist assaults that took place against the United States of America on the 11th of September 2001. These attacks have affected the lives of thousands of individuals and families around the world and to them, I extend my deepest sympathies and support as they struggle with the loss of their loved ones.

I am also appalled to learn of a number of violent attacks that have been perpetrated against migrants in different parts of the world, since the events of the 11th of September 2001. I thoroughly condemn such acts of violence and welcome the many efforts that leaders have made to show the deplorable and unacceptable nature of such events. I would encourage Governments to take further steps to prevent such violence against migrants from taking place and call on all Governments to adopt, when necessary, special measures to protect those most vulnerable from these acts of hatred and xenophobia.

We must continue to strive for a world which stands for the respect and dignity of all the fundamental human rights of all human beings, without discrimination, while engaging in the active eradication of terrorism worldwide. In our plight against terrorism we must refrain from discourses that associate terrorism with migration. This approach leads to false blame, reinforces negative stereotyping of migrants and puts migrants in a particular position of vulnerability in our societies.

The world has stood by the victims of the atrocious events which took place on the 11th of September 2001, many of whom where immigrants living in the United States of America. My thoughts go to them and their families who saw them pass away, far from home. I would like to reflect on the important contribution they made during their life, in a foreign country that welcomed them openly. May their lives bring to light the value of diversity in all our societies".







* *** *