India, Nov. 28 -- Soaring inflation, fragile job markets and shrinking access to healthcare and education are pushing millions of people in South and South-East Asia onto risky migration paths, the UN human rights office said on Thursday, as regional migration reaches historic highs.

The office said people across the region are migrating "not by choice, but out of necessity," driven by the systemic deprivation of economic, social and cultural rights at home. Poverty, unemployment, weak public services and climate stress are eroding livelihoods and leaving millions with few alternatives but to leave.

"Migration should be a choice, not a necessity born of desperation," said Cynthia Veliko, head of the OHCHR Regional Office for South-East ...