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11 September 2000
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Symposium on International Migration in the Americas,
organized by ECLAC and the International Organization for Migration,
San José, Costa Rica, 4-6 September 2000
Message of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mary Robinson
One activity which should form part of the preparation for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which is to be held in South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001, is to make as precise a diagnosis as possible of specific forms of racism in society, to identify the groups that are most frequently victims of racial discrimination and to identify what remedies and best national practices could be targeted to assist the victims of such discrimination. In this regard, it is very important to take note that the phenomenon of large-scale migration has increased dramatically in recent years and that it has often been accompanied by increased instances of racism and xenophobia.
Persons migrate as a result of poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and in some cases violence or persecution in their country of origin. In their new-found host country, migrants often do not have the same ethnic origin as the majority of the population or the same language, religion or culture. In the vast majority of cases, migrants are non-citizens as well.
These conditions can lead to situations where migrants and their families experience serious forms of racial discrimination in access to employment, education, housing, health care or public facilities such as restaurants. I am particularly concerned at the harsh treatment of children and the families of migrants, as well as the incidence of fear and dislike of foreigners which is often reflected in both the private and public sectors. Such practices are of grave concern when they become institutionalized and are reflected in the actions of law enforcement officials or the judiciary.
When migrants have legally immigrated and are in a regularized situation, certain legal and administrative remedies may exist to provide remedies to racially discriminatory practices, although such remedies are rarely completely adequate. In the worst of cases, when migrants are in an irregular situation and are working illegally, they are often the subject of egregious exploitation, including sweatshop conditions or forced labour. In this respect, the development of the illegal trafficking of women and girls for prostitution on a large scale is a particularly alarming phenomenon that needs to be combated with all available means.
It is important to recall that the condition of migrants will be an important subject addressed by the World Conference against Racism, and that it is presently being addressed during the preparatory process for the Conference. I would to draw to your attention to the fact that one of a series of regional expert seminars being organized in preparation of the World Conference against Racism is entitled AMigrants and trafficking in persons with particular reference to women and children@. This seminar is being held in Bangkok, Thailand from 5-7 September 2001, and is organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
The starting point for addressing the issue of racial discrimination against migrants - be they legal or illegal migrants - is that they have the same human rights as any other person, including the right to life; the right to dignity and security; the right to just and favourable conditions or work; the right to health and the right to equal treatment before the law.
In undertaking your work during this international symposium, may I request that you consider the possibility of making practical suggestions and recommendations on ways to overcome racism and xenophobia against migrants and that these proposals be forwarded to the World Conference through by Office.
Thank you.
organized by ECLAC and the International Organization for Migration,
San José, Costa Rica, 4-6 September 2000
Message of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mary Robinson
One activity which should form part of the preparation for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which is to be held in South Africa from 31 August to 7 September 2001, is to make as precise a diagnosis as possible of specific forms of racism in society, to identify the groups that are most frequently victims of racial discrimination and to identify what remedies and best national practices could be targeted to assist the victims of such discrimination. In this regard, it is very important to take note that the phenomenon of large-scale migration has increased dramatically in recent years and that it has often been accompanied by increased instances of racism and xenophobia.
Persons migrate as a result of poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and in some cases violence or persecution in their country of origin. In their new-found host country, migrants often do not have the same ethnic origin as the majority of the population or the same language, religion or culture. In the vast majority of cases, migrants are non-citizens as well.
These conditions can lead to situations where migrants and their families experience serious forms of racial discrimination in access to employment, education, housing, health care or public facilities such as restaurants. I am particularly concerned at the harsh treatment of children and the families of migrants, as well as the incidence of fear and dislike of foreigners which is often reflected in both the private and public sectors. Such practices are of grave concern when they become institutionalized and are reflected in the actions of law enforcement officials or the judiciary.
When migrants have legally immigrated and are in a regularized situation, certain legal and administrative remedies may exist to provide remedies to racially discriminatory practices, although such remedies are rarely completely adequate. In the worst of cases, when migrants are in an irregular situation and are working illegally, they are often the subject of egregious exploitation, including sweatshop conditions or forced labour. In this respect, the development of the illegal trafficking of women and girls for prostitution on a large scale is a particularly alarming phenomenon that needs to be combated with all available means.
It is important to recall that the condition of migrants will be an important subject addressed by the World Conference against Racism, and that it is presently being addressed during the preparatory process for the Conference. I would to draw to your attention to the fact that one of a series of regional expert seminars being organized in preparation of the World Conference against Racism is entitled AMigrants and trafficking in persons with particular reference to women and children@. This seminar is being held in Bangkok, Thailand from 5-7 September 2001, and is organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
The starting point for addressing the issue of racial discrimination against migrants - be they legal or illegal migrants - is that they have the same human rights as any other person, including the right to life; the right to dignity and security; the right to just and favourable conditions or work; the right to health and the right to equal treatment before the law.
In undertaking your work during this international symposium, may I request that you consider the possibility of making practical suggestions and recommendations on ways to overcome racism and xenophobia against migrants and that these proposals be forwarded to the World Conference through by Office.
Thank you.