Consider the following statement: 1. Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the 'Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)'. 2. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries. 3. The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also in its objectives and commitments. How many of the above statements are correct?
Contents12
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- CAll three
- DNone
Show answer
Answer: (D) None
All statements are wrong.
Statement 1: The Global Compact for Migration was NOT adopted by all UN countries — only 163 adopted it, and some countries like Austria refused.
Statement 2: The Compact is non-legally binding, not legally binding.
Statement 3: The Compact addresses rights of migrants, not specifically climate refugees.
Answer is (d) None.
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was adopted by 163 countries in December 2018, but several countries including the US, Hungary, Poland, and Australia refused to adopt it.
Migration became a major global issue around 2015-2018 due to refugee crises from Syria, Afghanistan, and other conflicts, leading to this UN compact being negotiated.
UPSC is testing whether students understand the difference between legally binding treaties and non-binding compacts in international law.
Global Compact for Migration (GCM)
World Affairs (International Relations) Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration GCM
Global Compact for Migration: Key Facts & UPSC Traps
163 out of 193 UN countries adopted GCM in 2018 — not all countries
GCM is non-legally binding — creates no legal obligations
Covers international migration only — excludes internal displacement
First intergovernmentally negotiated agreement on migration
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) is a UN framework adopted in Marrakech, Morocco in December 2018. Despite being negotiated under UN auspices, it represents voluntary cooperation rather than binding law.
GCM Key Features
Aspect | Details | UPSC Focus |
|---|---|---|
Adoption | 163 countries adopted (30 abstained/opposed) | Not all UN members |
Legal Status | Non-legally binding | No enforcement mechanism |
Scope | International migration only | Excludes internal displacement |
Objectives | 23 objectives covering migrant rights | Comprehensive framework |
Implementation | Voluntary national reviews | Country-led approach |
Countries That Opposed/Abstained
USA withdrew from negotiations under Trump administration
Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic opposed citing sovereignty concerns
Austria refused to sign despite EU support
Australia abstained citing national border control priorities
This question tests the trap that GCM ≠ universal UN adoption. The 163/193 adoption rate and non-binding nature are key factual distinctions UPSC exploits.
Trap 1: Statement says 'all UN countries' adopted GCM — only 163 out of 193 did
Trap 2: Assumes GCM creates binding obligations — it's non-legally binding
Trap 3: Claims GCM covers internal displacement — it covers international migration only
Memory aid: GCM = Global Compact Migration, not Generally Compulsory Mandates
Binding vs Non-Binding International Agreements
World Affairs (International Relations) binding non-legally binding
Legal vs Non-Legal International Agreements: UPSC Must-Know
Legally binding = enforceable under international law with penalties
Non-legally binding = moral/political commitments with no enforcement
Treaties, conventions are typically binding; compacts, frameworks often non-binding
Binding vs Non-Binding Comparison
Feature | Legally Binding | Non-Legally Binding |
|---|---|---|
Enforcement | ICJ, tribunals can enforce | No legal enforcement |
Penalties | Sanctions, penalties possible | Diplomatic pressure only |
Compliance | Legal obligation to comply | Voluntary compliance |
Examples | Paris Agreement, UN Charter | GCM, Sendai Framework |
Withdrawal | Formal process required | Easy withdrawal possible |
Language | 'Shall' provisions | 'Should' or 'encourage' language |
Why Countries Choose Non-Binding
Sovereignty concerns — avoid external legal constraints
Faster adoption — no lengthy ratification processes
Political flexibility — can adapt to changing domestic priorities
Broader participation — countries join without fear of legal consequences
Trap: Assuming all UN-adopted frameworks are legally binding — many are voluntary
Paris Agreement is binding (despite US withdrawal), but GCM is not
SDGs are non-binding targets, not legal obligations
Look for words: 'compact' and 'framework' often signal non-binding nature
International vs Internal Migration
World Affairs (International Relations) international migration internal migration internally displaced people
Migration Categories: International vs Internal Displacement
International migration = crossing national borders
Internal displacement = movement within same country
GCM covers international only — IDPs have separate frameworks
Migration vs Displacement Categories
Category | Definition | Governing Framework | Key Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
International Migration | Cross-border movement | GCM, Refugee Convention | UNHCR, IOM |
Internal Displacement | Within-country movement | Guiding Principles on IDPs | UNHCR, OCHA |
Refugees | Flee persecution across borders | 1951 Refugee Convention | UNHCR |
Climate Migration | Environmental displacement | No specific framework | UNFCCC, IOM |
Why Separate Frameworks Exist
Sovereignty principle — internal displacement = domestic jurisdiction
Legal complexity — international law vs domestic law applications
Agency mandates — UNHCR has different roles for refugees vs IDPs
Scale difference — 55 million IDPs vs 35 million international migrants globally
India context: India has 2.9 million IDPs (climate, conflict, development-induced) but different policy approaches for international refugees from Myanmar, Tibet, Afghanistan.
Don't confuse: GCM covers international migrants, not internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Climate refugees often move internally first — GCM doesn't specifically address them
UNHCR works with both refugees and IDPs, but under different legal frameworks
UN Migration Governance Framework
World Affairs (International Relations) United Nations
UN System for Migration: Key Agencies & Frameworks
IOM (International Organization for Migration) leads migration governance
UNHCR protects refugees and displaced persons
No single UN agency handles all migration — shared mandates
UN Migration Architecture
# UN Migration System
## IOM
- Migration governance
- GCM coordination
- Voluntary migration
- Return assistance
## UNHCR
- Refugee protection
- Asylum seekers
- IDPs
- Stateless persons
## Other Agencies
- ILO (labor migration)
- UNICEF (child migrants)
- WHO (migrant health)Key Migration Frameworks
Framework | Year | Scope | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
1951 Refugee Convention | 1951 | Refugee rights & protection | Legally binding |
Global Compact on Refugees | 2018 | Refugee response framework | Non-binding |
GCM | 2018 | International migration | Non-binding |
Guiding Principles on IDPs | 1998 | Internal displacement | Non-binding |
India's position: India supported Global Compact on Refugees but had reservations about GCM, reflecting its complex position as both origin and destination for migrants.