International recommendation

Access to healthcare services for irregular migrants

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
Theme:
Access to healthcare
Populations of concern:
Asylum seekers and refugeesChildrenPersons with an immigrant background and ethnic minorities
Relevant CESCR articles:
Art. 12 – HealthArt. 2 – Non-discrimination, implementation and effective remedy
Source:
CESCR/E/C.12/NOR/CO/6, para. 39

Recommended measures (1)

Measure
Measure types:
Laws and regulationsPractices and guidelines
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Health and Care Services

The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures to ensure that all persons in the State party have access to primary healthcare services, regardless of their residence status. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party withdraw the regressive measures taken in 2011 with regard to the right of irregular migrants to primary healthcare services and allow them and their children to be placed on general practitioner’s lists. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its statement of 13 March 2017 on Duties of States towards refugees and migrants under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/2017/1).