UNHCR 2007: "Refugee Protection and Mixed Migration: a 10-Point Plan of Action"

A policy document from UNHCR dating back to 2007 that addresses today's hot issue of mixed migration. 

"While refugees and asylum seekers account for a relatively small portion of the global movement of people, they increasingly move from one country or continent to another alongside other people whose reasons for moving are different and not protection-related.

More often than not such movements are irregular, in the sense that they take place without the requisite documentation and frequently involve human smugglers and traffickers. The people who move in this manner often place their lives at risk, are obliged to travel in inhumane conditions and may be exposed to exploitation and abuse. States regard such movements as a threat to their sovereignty and security.

It has become imperative for the international community to address this phenomenon in a more coherent and comprehensive manner. States have assumed protection responsibilities for refugees under international instruments which it is in their collective interest to honour."