UN Officials Call For Respect For Rights Of Migrants And Their Crucial Economic Role
New York, Dec 18 2010 11:10AM
With mounting unemployment spurring discrimination and the politics of polarization on the rise, United Nations
officials have decried the human rights violations, xenophobia, and exploitation faced by many of the world's 214
million international migrants.
"It is important to recall, particularly in these turbulent times, the fundamental role that migrants play in
strengthening the global economy," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sgsm13308.doc.htm">message marking International Migrants Day, calling on the very many States that have yet to do so to ratify the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families.
"I also call on parties to the Convention to step up their efforts to help realize the rights guaranteed in the
Convention. The irregular situation of many internat
ional migrants should not deprive them either of their humanity or their rights," he declared.
"Migrants contribute to economic growth and human development they enrich societies through cultural diversity,
knowledge and technology exchange and they improve demographic balance in ageing populations. While for many, migration
is a positive and empowering experience, many others endure human rights violations, xenophobia, and exploitation."
Mr. Ban stressed the plight of the tens of millions of migrants who are in "an irregular situation" and thus more likely
to be denied basic labour protections, due process guarantees, personal security, and healthcare.
"They are vulnerable to suffering prolonged detention or ill-treatment, and in some cases enslavement, rape or even
murder," he said. "Clearly much more needs to be done to safeguard the rights of migrants."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay recalled the statement adopted in September by the Global Migration
Group
-- a collective of 14 UN agencies, the International Organization for Migration and the World Bank -- speaking out in
one voice for the protection of the human rights of all migrants, especially the tens of millions of irregular and
undocumented migrants.
"Human rights violations against migrants are often closely linked to discriminatory law and practice, and to
deep-seated attitudes of prejudice and xenophobia," Ms. Pillay said in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true">news release. "This must not be allowed to continue. Discrimination against any group of human beings, including
migrants, is unacceptable."
opportunity to undertake an important step to ensure the human rights of every person, including those of millions of
women, men and children who have abandoned their homes in search of a better life."
They urged States parties to the Convention to make the rights guaranteed therein a reality on the ground through
concerted action. "Civil society, international organisations, and all concerned stakeholders -- individually and
collectively, are also invited to make the rights guaranteed in the Convention a reality."