For the first time in its history, the UN adopted a Declaration for Migrants and Refugees 2 on 19 September 2016 which calls for two Global Compacts: 3 one for safe, orderly and regular migration and the other for refugees. The context of the New York Declaration is the ongoing large movements of migrants and refugees, and the objective to achieve international agreement on commitments to both safe, orderly and regular migration and refugees. It contains three types of commitments – those relevant to migrants and refugees, those specific to migrants and those relevant only to refugees. The commitments to both migrants and refugees are to “people-centred, sensitive, humane, dignified, gender-responsive and prompt reception for all persons arriving in our countries”. 4 The international community’s commitment to migrants is “protecting the safety, dignity and human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migratory status, at all times” 5 and to refugees to address the issues which force people to flee – to “work to address the root causes of such crisis situations and to prevent or resolve conflict by peaceful means.” 6 Migration, both voluntary and forced (that is of refugees) is a matter of substantial tension in the international community. Put simply, one country’s migrant is another country’s citizen. Thus the interests of States are not always in alignment regarding how someone who is simultaneously a migrant in the state where he or she is currently and a citizen of his or her home country with an entitlement to consular protection by that state.