The independent U.N. investigator on the human rights of migrants the sinking of a migrant-laden boat off Sicily highlight the dangers of using only repressive measures against people seeking a better life in another country.
Francois Crepeau, a Canadian law professor, said the increasing criminalization and repression of "irregular migration" pushes migrants underground and empowers smugglers and traffickers who control the borders.
He spoke at a news conference Thursday during a high-level meeting on International Migration and Development.
The session started hours after a packed fishing boat heading toward the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa caught fire and capsized, killing at least 114 people, with many others still missing.
