On October 3, at the United Nations headquarters, Mexico stated that the human rights of immigrants, including the undocumented, must be respected. The Mexican government recognized its responsibility for illegal immigration.

Claude Heller, Mexican ambassador to the United Nations, said that it is the “perfect place” to address the problem of international migration, from the perspective of shared responsibility.

He described the necessity of “promoting a comprehensive vision based on respect for the human rights of all immigrants, independent of their legal situation, and which takes into account the economic, social and cultural implications of this phenomenon.”

Heller spoke during the general debate of the 62nd session of the General Assembly, which began on September 25 and ended on October 3, in which representatives of 192 U.N. member countries participated.

“We say it out of our own experience. Mexico is a country of origin, of transit and a destination for migrants,” said the Mexican ambassador.

Aside from recognizing what he considered “our own responsibility in the internal arena,” Heller said that it is necessary to adopt “effective measures to strengthen the international framework for protection of migrants.”

In that sense, he reaffirmed the validity of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

“At the same time that we recognize the necessity to collaborate on this topic, Mexico also accept the responsibility of creating conditions that allow our compatriots to find more and better opportunities within our territory,” he added.

Speaking to the General Assembly, Heller said that the Calderón government is working on several levels to “encourage private and public investment” to that end.

He assured that Mexico supports the process of reforms that is underway, above all the expansion of the Security Council.