Migration, tuberculosis and the law: an urgent need for a rights-based approach

Drew Aiken Eric A. Friedman Matthew M. Kavanagh, Mike Isbell, John Stephens

In the context of TB, many countries from all regions and income classifications are failing to apply sound, human rights-based disease control in the context of migration. Our report focuses on the urgent need to replace four discriminatory approaches with rights-based approaches, including: restrictions on entry, stay and residence on the basis of TB or health status; legal restrictions on access to medical services for migrants; migration detention, forced deportation and continuity of care; and requirements that migrants and refugees with tuberculosis undergo coercive TB treatment, including as a condition for entry or legal status.