The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which operates under the Organization of American States, issued a statement of concern yesterday about the “Migrant Caravan” which started in Honduras and is making its way to the north.

It expresses “particular concern” about the statements made by U.S. officials about the caravan because their “stigmatizing and criminalizing language and unfounded accusations…may encourage xenophobic attitudes against such persons.”

The United States was a charter member of the OAS since its founding in 1948. There are now 35 member nations, which comprise all of the independent states of the Americas.

From the IACHR statement:

Over the last few years, the IACHR, civil society organizations, and international bodies have monitored the situation with great concern as various forms of violence and other hardships have led to a significant rise of Honduran asylum seekers and refugees in other countries in the region, including children, adolescents, and unaccompanied minors. Members of the Caravan have declared that they abandoned their country of origin to escape gang violence and other human rights violations, and due to poverty and lack of opportunities. The caravan is composed largely of families and includes people in situations of special vulnerability, including children, pregnant women, and elderly individuals.

The IACHR has observed that the caravan’s journey has triggered reactions and hostile measures by some authorities in transit and destination countries against the migrants and human rights defenders of the caravan. These reactions include pronouncements to stop the caravan, close borders, and to detain and deport caravan members. The IACHR expresses its particular concern over the statements made by United States officials characterizing the caravan as a threat to sovereignty and national security, and affirming that this movement of migrants includes many criminals. In this context, the IACHR rejects the use of stigmatizing and criminalizing language and unfounded accusations in reference to migrants and asylum seekers, which may encourage xenophobic attitudes against such persons.

It seems to me that the IACHR statement reminds us of several important things.

First, this caravan is simply part of a much larger problem as refugees flee from violence and poverty in their countries of origin. Second, it is a problem best dealt with by a community of nations, and international organizations, public and private, working together. And third, the situation involves basic and essential human rights which must be respected and protected.

The statement notes that Mexico is playing a very constructive role in the situation by guaranteeing access to that country, establishing shelters, and working with international organizations “to meet the immediate needs of the migrants and asylum seekers who make up the caravan.”

The IACHR positively notes that on October 19, the Mexican authorities requested the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to respond to the asylum requests that may arise from the arrival of the caravan and to provide the corresponding support to the applicants during their stay in Mexico. The IACHR welcomes the decision of the State of Mexico to guarantee access to its territory and to establish shelters, in coordination with international organizations and civil society organizations, to meet the immediate needs of the migrants and asylum seekers who make up the caravan. The IACHR also highlights the role played by the National Human Rights Commission of Honduras (CONADEH), the National Human Rights Commission of Mexico (CNDH), the Human Rights Ombudsman of Guatemala (PDH), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, as well as multiple civil society organizations, in providing humanitarian assistance to those that make up the caravan.

Even good news media reporting in the U.S. has failed to highlight the need for humanitarian assistance, and especially the work of many agencies and civil society organizations trying to meet those needs. It seems to me that this is a vital perspective, and we should be demanding our government contribute to such efforts.