STATEMENT BY MR. JORGE BUSTAMANTE, SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS AND MR. PRASAD KARIYAWASAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON MIGRANT WORKERS

ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY, 18 DECEMBER 2005


International Migrants day is an occasion to recall the important contribution made by migrants today and throughout history to the economic, social and cultural development of the societies they have joined and the countries they have left behind. It also reminds us of the continuing serious problems migrants, women and men, face everywhere including racism and discrimination, as well as numerous types of exploitation, abuse and human rights violations.

Next year marks an important moment in the reflection on the multiple issues raised by the phenomenon of migration today. In 2006, the General Assembly has scheduled to hold a High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. Only yesterday, the Committee on Migrant Workers held a Day of General Discussion on the protection of the rights of migrant workers as a tool to enhance development. The Special Rapporteur actively participated in the debate with numerous representatives from governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society. We believe that it is of the utmost importance to place the human rights of migrants at the forefront of any discussion about migration. In our respective capacities, we will relentlessly advocate for a human rights approach to migration in all fora.

Next year’s high-level dialogue will be the latest in a series of global and regional initiatives that have been carried out in the last few years in the field of migration. These initiatives have permitted in-depth discussions of many aspects of migration and provide guidance on international action in this field. The discussions have also made it abundantly clear that gaps exist in the protection of the rights of migrants. It is imperative to address them.

In order to bridge these gaps, we re-iterate our call to all countries that have not yet done so, to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The convention, adopted 15 years ago, on 18 December 1990, establishes a comprehensive framework to protect the rights of all migrants. We also urge those States which are a party to the Convention to present their initial reports to the Committee so that it can effectively start monitoring the implementation of the Convention vis-à-vis today’s migration challenges.

Geneva, 16 December 2005