HRW says migrant crisis should be 'top priority' for Asian meeting in Bangkok

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged South Asian nations to give top priority to the region's migrant crisis during the upcoming Bangkok meeting.

Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director, said in a statement that regional governments should work with the United Nations and others to address the plight of migrants stranded at sea or in holding camps and not sweep the issue under the rug as they have done for years, reported CNN.

The rights watch group also called for "unimpeded and unconditional access" for international organisations such as, UNHCR and International Organization for Migration (IOM), to rescued migrants and refugees in order to assess their claims for refugee status.

According to an IOM estimate, about 25,000 Southeast Asian migrants took to the seas in the first three months of 2015.

The Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean, which is due to take place on Friday, will see participation from Southeast Asian nations as well as Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Iran, among others. The U.S., Switzerland and representatives from the UNCHR and the IOM will be present as observers.