UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/7/12 25 February 2008 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Seventh session Agenda item 3 PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge Bustamante* Summary This is the third report submitted to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge Bustamante, since his appointment in July 2005. The report summarizes the activities of the Special Rapporteur, including visits requested and undertaken, and communications and replies received. The thematic section of the report highlights some of the key challenges with regard to the criminalization of irregular migration, and outlines some elements for State responsibility with regard to the protection of irregular migrants. The conclusions and recommendations are offered to States in terms of the applicable legal framework for protection and the general trends observed. * The present report is submitted late to reflect the most up-to-date information possible. GE.08-10974 (E) 290208