A/HRC/38/39
need for concerted action to prevent and reduce internal displacement. That would enable
the United Nations, States affected by displacement and other stakeholders worldwide to
organize an annual series of awareness and advocacy events at the international, national
and local levels, and encourage the participation of internally displaced persons. Such a day
would bring much-needed attention to them, most importantly within national contexts, and
help to motivate concrete action on their behalf. Similar to international days on refugees
and on migrants, this would also be an important demonstration of the concern about and
commitment of the international community to the protection of internally displaced
persons and would be a fitting way to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Guiding
Principles.
VII. Conclusions
77.
No country is immune from internal displacement and all can be directly or
indirectly affected by it, as evidenced by the number of affected countries in 2018. The
Guiding Principles are more important than ever in helping to prevent and reduce
internal displacement and in guiding and informing national and collective responses
to it. It is clear that action is required at all levels to reduce internal displacement and
protect against it. All States should be aware of and, where necessary, actively
implementing the Guiding Principles and the tools that it has inspired, including in a
preventative capacity. New and evolving challenges of displacement caused by the
adverse effects of climate change, slow-onset disasters or development mean that ever
more communities are exposed to internal displacement and more countries and
regions must build the capacity to respond.
78.
As the international community focuses much needed attention on refugees and
migrants in the context of the global compacts, it is essential that it also significantly
enhances the attention it pays to reducing internal displacement in line with the
Guiding Principles, recognizing that preventing internal displacement, enhancing
protection and achieving durable solutions for internally displaced persons can also
help to meet some of the challenges linked to cross-border population movement. This
can be done, not by restricting freedom of movement, violating the right of people to
claim asylum, or strengthening border or immigration controls, but rather by
delivering real and effective progress towards the recovery of internally displaced
persons, returning essential dignity to them and offering hope for the future in their
country of origin. The Guiding Principles provide a framework for those vital
elements to be realized in practice with benefits for all.
79.
The Guiding Principles are vital to helping to forge a common global agenda to
reduce internal displacement, which is currently missing. That must be based on
international, regional and national recognition of the immense challenges of internal
displacement and an understanding that implementing the Guiding Principles and
ensuring the rights of internally displaced persons can help to overcome them. States,
as primary duty bearers, must incorporate them domestically and implement them
based on national and specific displacement contexts. However, it must be recognized
that they constitute a minimum standard and should be adhered to in good faith and
with the highest priority given to fulfilling human rights and achieving durable
solutions.
80.
Implementation of the Guiding Principles not only benefits internally displaced
persons, it works for the benefit of the wider society and can be an important
component of conflict resolution, social cohesion, stability and peacebuilding
initiatives. Violence and the resulting internal displacement can cleave societies along
ethnic, religious or other identity lines, creating or enhancing divisions, as some
communities are forced from their homes. Where internally displaced persons are
provided with appropriate durable solutions and included in post-conflict processes,
tensions and grievances are less likely to grow. The Guiding Principles can be an
important component of transitional justice processes aimed at healing the wounds of
States or regions affected by conflict.
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