E/CN.4/1503 page 54
attempt to create national
cohesion along somewhat authori- tarian single-party lines, a fact which helps explain what may be termed the "integrative revolution" facing many developing nations following their accession to independence. Hence the difficulty in creating conditions in which normal human rights could be enjoyed, and hence a high incidence of mass exodus in the countries classified as some of the poorest in the world.
117. The other side of the coin is a series of "pull factors" which include an increasingly free flow of information from North to South on economic opportunity, and a belief widely shared by beleaguered potential refugees/migrants that their problems will be better understood by the authorities of countries which uphold human rights. The existence of
liberalized immigration regulations or refugee quotas must exert some degree of magnetism, particularly in the case of skilled manpower seeking upward mobility, as may the insti- tutionalization of aid close to a troubled country's border.
118. As a consequence of all these factors, mass movements have become more commonplace, and the principle of the law of asylum has been eroded. It would seem to be time to update refugee, nationality and labour law, and to re-examine asylum
practice. Furthermore, to ensure greater clarity in mass
influx situations as to numbers of people to be assisted, a mechanism seems to be called for to carry out refugee popu- lation census in an impartial manner.
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