Consider the following statements : 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?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The Global Compact for Migration was adopted at Marrakesh in December 2018 and endorsed by the UN General Assembly with 152 votes in favour; the United States, Hungary, Israel, Poland and the Czech Republic voted against and several abstained — so statement 1 ('all the countries') is wrong.
• Statement 2 is wrong: the GCM is expressly non-binding and respects national sovereignty over migration policy.
• Statement 3 is wrong: the Compact covers international migration only; internally displaced people fall under separate UN frameworks.
• India voted in favour of the Compact.
• Hence none, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Only one
- None of the statements is correct.
- (b) Only two
- All three statements are wrong.
- (c) All three
- Each statement misdescribes the Compact.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.