UN human rights expert to visit Nepal to assess situation of migrants working abroad

GENEVA/KATHMANDU (24 January 2018) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe González Morales, will visit Nepal from 29 January to 5 February 2018 to assess the human rights situation of Nepali migrant workers, including related recruitment practices and returns and reintegration programmes. 

“I thank the Government of Nepal for giving me opportunity to make this visit. Migration plays an important role in the economic development of Nepal. Every day 1,600 workers leave Nepal for foreign employment through official channels, and remittances form up to 30 percent of the country’s GDP,” said González Morales.

“However, many migrants experience abuse and exploitation, which often begins during the recruitment process,” he said. “They may face further difficulties upon their return and when trying to reintegrate into their society. This visit presents an opportunity to assess their situation on the ground.”

During his eight-day mission to Nepal, González Morales will meet government officials responsible for migration and labour, international organizations, civil society, recruitment agencies, as well as aspiring and returned migrants and their families.
The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report of the visit to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2018.
At the end of the mission, the UN Special Rapporteur will share his preliminary conclusions at a press conference on 5 Feburary 2018 at 12 pm at the Himalaya Hotel, Sahid Sukra Marg, Lalitpur, Kathmandu.

ENDS

Mr. Felipe González Morales (Chile) was appointed Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants in June 2017 by the UN Human Rights Council, for an initial period of three years. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity. He is Professor of International Law at the Diego Portales University, in Santiago, Chile, where he is also the Director of a Master in International Human Rights Law. Learn more, log on to: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/migration/rapporteur/index.htm

Check the report by the previous Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants on recruitment practices and labour exploitation;
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Migration/SRMigrants/Pages/AnnualReports.aspx

Read the International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cmw.htm
           
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Alice Ochsenbein (+41 22 917 98 30 /  aochsenbein@ohchr.org)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts: Jeremy Laurence, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)

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