Protecting the Rights of Migrants through the UN System

Introduction

Today, migration is a worldwide and intra- and inter-regional phenomenon accompanied by an increase in the violation of the human rights of the people concerned. Throughout the migration cycle, migrant workers and their families are victims of a wide range of human rights abuses. Some examples are: inadequate conditions of work, sexual abuse of women migrant workers, expulsion and arbitrary detention of irregular migrants, including unaccompanied children, difficulties with accessing social and economic rights, illegal recruitment practices, ill-treatment, inadequate housing, poor access to health care provisions and education, and the criminalisation of undocumented migrants.

Although the UN system provides a framework and tools for the protection of the rights of migrants and their families, many migrants today do not benefit from it because core human rights treaties are neither universally ratified nor implemented. Furthermore, too often effective protection is not available because the actors that potentially have the best capabilities to offer protection do not live up to this promise. Rights on paper do not automatically lead to rights in practice. For this to happen rights-holders have to be aware of the fact that they too should be treated with respect and dignity and that their governments can be held accountable for the commitments they have made under international law.

Past Achievements

• (2003) IMD Platform Vlaanderen – December 18 initiated this local platform that brought together unions, migrant organizations and development NGOs. The Platform commissioned a study with the University of Antwerpen and the K.U. Leuven, comparing Belgium’s national law with the articles of the Convention.

• (2005) Collaboration with Sin Fronteras and Foro Migraciones (Mexico) – A staff member of December 18 went to Mexico to assist local organizations with the drafting of a shadow report. This report was submitted to the Committee on Migrant Workers when it held its deliberations on the official report from Mexico.

• (2005) NGO Guide on the Implementation of the Migrant Workers Convention – The IPMWC commissioned December 18 to write the first such guide.

• (2007) The UN Migrant Workers Convention: Steps towards Ratification in Europe – Research carried out on behalf of the European Platform for Migrant Workers Rights showed the position of various stakeholders from across the European Union vis-à-vis the need for and feasibility of ratification.

• (2008) Presentation at the People’s Global Action meeting in Manila – December 18 co-organized a workshop on the Migrant Workers Convention in collaboration with MRI and the IPMWC.