“In a world where migration is often politicized and people on the move scapegoated, leading to fear and division, it is crucial to highlight solutions that uphold human rights rather than undermine them,” said Säuberli.

Inspiring action for human rights

Ever since she was a little girl, Castría loved to draw. Attending public school exposed her to different social realities, which sparked her early interest in social struggles and human rights. She went on to study graphic design, but it was in 2018 during the massive feminist movement in Argentina known as la marea verde (the green tide), demanding legal, safe and free abortion, that she realized illustration and activism were deeply connected for her. Through her art, she could express what she was feeling, inspire change, and build community among women.

“Illustration as a tool has a huge symbolic power. It allows us to represent things that cannot be seen, emotions, absences,” Castría said. 

Castría aims at inspiring empathy, spark conversations, and provoke questions.

“To also appeal to tenderness, to care, you know? To talk about topics that are sometimes difficult, but in a way that allows us to connect,” she said.

Elizabeth’s journey inspired Castría.

“To be in another country, with another language, and still remain strong, offering others all that love and empathy, is truly inspiring,” Castría said.

According to Säuberli, Castría’s evocative illustrations reveal both the simplicity and the powerful impact of stories like Elizabeth’s.

“Using a hope-and-values-based approach to storytelling, our regional and country presences along with civil society partners and activists from the Pacific to South America, have facilitated conversations about migration and how we can achieve change together,” Säuberli said.

UN Human Rights offers practical solutions for how everyone can be safe, thrive, and belong. With the objective of changing narratives, attitudes and behaviour on migration, UN Human Rights has a Toolbox on Migration Narrative Change, of which comics are part of.

UN Human Rights’ broad protection mandate entails the promotion and protection of the human rights of all people. 

The Office assists governments and other stakeholders on how human rights can act as powerful tools to make systems better for everyone and make sure no one gets left behind.

“I think it’s great that UN Human Rights turned to this tool, to have characters that people might connect with more easily or empathize with,” Castría said. “I think it’s incredibly powerful and, of course, essential for promoting more positive narratives, especially in this context.”

Pathways that work

Säuberli said that several countries and regions have implemented promising practices to support migrants through regularization based on humanitarian and protection grounds.

In Mexico, victims or witnesses of serious crimes can apply for migration status regularization and Australia is allowing victims of partner violence holding a Partner visa to seek permanent residency even if the relationship ended.

In addition, Italy protects unaccompanied children from deportation and grants them residence permits until age 18 and in East Africa, the Intergovernmental Authority Development (IGAD) Free Movement Protocol ensures access for people displaced by disasters or climate change.

Also, Thailand has repeatedly regularized undocumented migrants from neighbouring countries, allowing them to live and work legally for up to two years without requiring return to their home countries.

Still, many challenges remain.

When regular pathways are not available, accessible or secure, Säuberli said, people on the move find themselves in situations of vulnerability, exposed to the risks of marginalization, exploitation and uncertainty.

“Migrants are often barred from working, excluded from healthcare, and denied basic stability,” Säuberli said. “Not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because many systems offer no fair or accessible way to regularize their status.”

During his most recent Global Update speech at the Human Rights Council, UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk urged EU countries to put human rights at the centre of new regulations on returns and migration governance more generally, including by expanding safe and regular pathways.

UN Human Rights has consistently called for safe and fair migration pathways and systems, and engages in legal policy work addressing human rights challenges, proposing rights-based solutions and highlighting promising practices.

“We hope that the illustrations will inspire our readers to use them, join us and stand up for human rights of people on the move,” Säuberli said.