The President of the General Assembly, Fiji's representative Peter Thompson, has told a United Nations meeting on refugees and migrants he is horrified by the treatment refugees are getting in some countries.
Peter Thomson, President of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly, speaks to journalists, following the opening meeting of the session. Photo: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
The UN has been debating a declaration under which member countries pledge to uphold human rights of refugees, providing opportunities such as education, and the ability to live without sexual violence.
In his opening remarks to the meeting, Mr Thompson told delegates the world is facing the greatest refugee crisis since World War II.
"Women and girls on the move are particularly vulnerable, often suffering the compounding effects of physical insecurity, multiple forms of discrimination and a lack of access to basic services.
"I have been horrified that so many desperate people in search of refuge, security and opportunity, have been met by hostility and a hateful rhetoric."