US asked to protect rights of migrants

NEW YORK: An independent human rights expert, who reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council, has asked United States authorities to promote and enforce nation-wide policies that protect the rights and welfare of migrants.

"An over-reliance on, and delegation of authority to local level law enforcement may compromise the ability of the US Government to effectively address issues affecting migrants, and to comply with its human rights obligations under International Law," Jorge Bustamante, Special Rapporteur on human rights of migrants said after visiting the country.

He said his visit shed light on a range of concerns regarding the rights of migrants, including arbitrary detention, separation of families, substandard conditions of detention, racial and ethnic discrimination, arbitrary and collective expulsions and violations of children's and women's rights.

Bustamante expressed particular concern over the fact that there is no centralized system in the US to obtain information regarding those arrested by immigration officials or where individuals are detained.

"Families may spend prolonged periods without information as to the whereabouts of detained relatives," he said in his statement.

"Transfers of individuals in custody also may occur without notice to families or attorneys and may result in detention in remote locations, far from families and access to legal support."