Let me start with a quote, "Human rights should supersede sovereignty in matters fundamental to human existence"

The international community has made significant strides in recognizing and protecting human rights. However, the gap between these enshrined principles and their practical implementation remains alarmingly wide. This document seeks to highlight the plight of a particularly vulnerable group: undocumented migrants and their children, whose fundamental rights are often disregarded.    

The experience of countless individuals across the globe mirrors a distressing pattern. Many have sought better opportunities in foreign lands, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation and uncertainty. The process of regularizing their status is often fraught with bureaucratic hurdles, exorbitant costs, and arbitrary decisions. Failure to navigate this complex system can result in severe consequences, including economic hardship, social ostracism, and separation from loved ones.

Of particular concern is the impact on children born to undocumented parents. These innocent lives are caught in a legal limbo that denies them basic rights such as access to education, healthcare, and identity documents. The psychological toll on both parents and children is immeasurable.

The concept of sovereignty has been invoked to justify restrictive immigration policies. However, it is imperative to recognize that human rights are universal and transcend national borders. The protection of these rights, especially for the most vulnerable, should be a paramount concern for all states.    

The United Nations, the African Union, and individual member states must prioritize the human rights of undocumented migrants and their children. This includes:

• · Streamlining immigration processes: Implementing fair, efficient, and accessible procedures for regularizing the status of undocumented migrants.

• · Protecting the rights of children: Ensuring that children born to undocumented parents have access to essential services and legal protection.

• · Combating xenophobia and discrimination: Promoting intercultural understanding and tolerance to create inclusive societies.

• · Strengthening international cooperation: Facilitating safe and legal migration channels while addressing the root causes of forced displacement.

By taking decisive action, the international community can help to alleviate the suffering of millions and build a more just and equitable world for all it imperative to understand that human rights should supersede sovereignty in matters fundamental to human existence. The denial of citizenship to a child born within a state's borders, leading to potential social and economic marginalization, is a clear example of such a violation

It is essential to remember that behind every statistic and policy is a human being with hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Their stories are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, but also to the urgent need for systemic change.