The office said people in the region migrate “not by choice, but by necessity,” driven by systemic deprivation of economic, social and cultural rights in their countries. Poverty, unemployment, weak public services and climate stress are eroding livelihoods and leaving millions with no alternative but to leave.
“Migration should be a choice and not a necessity born of desperation,» said Cynthia Veliko, head of OHCHR Regional Office for Southeast Asia.
“When people do not see a future at home – because their rights, such as decent work, adequate education and health care, are not accessible to them – they can be forced into dangerous migration and exploitation, often at great personal cost to themselves and their families. »
Migration trends
In 2024, more than 72 million international migrants will originate from the region, an increase of almost 13% compared to 2020. Nearly a quarter of all international migrants in the world now come from the region.
Young people and women are particularly affected by unemployment, low wages and gender discrimination, while climate change is increasingly disrupting agriculture and informal work.
Rising food and electricity prices and the depreciation of local currencies are placing a heavier burden on the poorest households, who already spend more than half of their income on food. Without reliable education, health care, and stable employment, families are increasingly turning to migration as a survival strategy.
The consequences are increasingly deadly. At least 2,514 migrants will die in Asia in 2024the highest toll ever recorded in the region and an increase of 59 percent from the previous year, according to UN migration data.
Workers install electrical cables in Southern Luzon, Philippines.
A feeling of “no future”
A central conclusion is a growing sense of “no future” in some parts of the region, where people no longer believe they can provide a dignified life at home.
“These are not just about individual aspirations. Education, healthcare, decent work and a healthy environment are human rights – duties that states must respect to ensure dignity and equality for all,” Ms Veliko said.
“Governments should build inclusive societies through sustained investment in public services and ensure fair and equitable access to resources. »
Hidden costs of remittances
OHCHR also highlighted the the hidden costs of remittances, which are vital to many families and national economies but often mask deeper social harms.
For poorer households, money sent from abroad is frequently used to meet basic needs such as food, utilities and emergency health care, leaving little room for education or long-term stability. Children are growing up separated from their parents, aging parents are losing care, and communities are losing working-age adults.
“Behind every migrant there is a story of sacrifice, resilience and hope,» Ms. Veliko said. “Too often, their journeys are reduced to economic decisions, obscuring the deeper struggle for dignity for themselves and the loved ones they leave behind. »
Recommendations
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged governments of countries of origin to prioritize public investments in health, education, job creation and environmental protectionwhile reducing inequalities through inclusive economic policies.
It also calls on destination countries to expand safe and regular migration routes and on international financial institutions to align debt and fiscal policies with States’ human rights obligations.
The office said people will always move, but with adequate rights and opportunities in their home countries, migration should become a real choice and not an act of last resort.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
