Regional plan to protect rights of migrant workers
National human rights institutions from across Asia have agreed to work together to improve the living and working environments of migrants, following an international conference held earlier this month in Seoul.
National human rights institutions (NHRIs) from across Asia have agreed to work together to improve the living and working environments of migrants, following an international conference held earlier this month in Seoul and organised by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.
Among a number of topics covered during the three-day conference, held from 10 – 12 November, participants discussed the human rights issues facing large numbers of migrants in the region, especially irregular and undocumented workers, female migrant workers and victims of trafficking, smuggling and sexual abuse.
Some of the practical steps that NHRIs agreed to take, outlined in the ‘Seoul Guidelines’, include:
- initiating an international campaign for the universal ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families
- undertaking joint research projects on causes, processes and consequences of international migration among NHRIs in Asia
- planning coordinated international responses to address issues of common concern action
- developing and strengthening remedies to address human rights violations committed against migrants, specially undocumented and irregular migrants
- conducting human rights training programs for government officers, in particular, law enforcement agencies such as immigration, police and detention facilities, and
- providing education and training program for migrants pre-departure in their country of origin and post-arrival in their country of destination.
Prof Betrand Ramcharan, a former Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was keynote speaker and expert adviser for the conference. Throughout the discussions, he reiterated the importance of cooperative arrangements between NHRIs from across the broad Asia Pacific region.
The Asia Pacific Forum (APF) was nominated as a principal partner to support NHRIs in implementing the ‘Seoul Guidelines’.
The conference also proposed that the APF create a Working Group on Migration and that it consider making the issue of migration and human rights the theme for Advisory Council of Jurists’ reference for 2009/10.
The APF was requested to work with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea to organise a follow-up meeting in 2009, which will invite the participation of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants.
NHRI Consultation on the Durban Review Conference
On 12 November, following the conclusion of the Seoul conference, NHRIs met to discuss the Durban Review Conference, which will be held in April 2009 to review progress and develop next steps in the world-wide fight against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.
The consultations in Seoul followed discussions that began at the ICC conference in Nairobi last month and the decision to establish an ICC Working Group on the Durban Review Conference.
During the consultations NHRIs agreed to establish focal points within their respective institutions and submit information on relevant activities to the ICC (Katharina Rose) or the APF (Suraina Pasha)
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