Communication from the European Commission on A Common Policy on Illegal Immigration (COM(2001) 672 final): UNHCR's Observations

The present Note seeks to bring UNHCR's contribution to the European debate as to how to manage migratory movements in a way that upholds human rights and humanitarian principles, while addressing the legitimate concerns of States regarding irregular migration. The Note’s central focus is, therefore, on the need to clearly distinguish – in admission policies and in the public debate – between asylum-seekers fleeing persecution and violent conflict, and people moving for purely economic and social reasons.