UN urges respect for migrants’ rights
UNITED NATIONS (CMC) — The global community yesterday celebrated International Migrants Day with the United Nations calling governments and people everywhere to reject xenophobia and embrace migration as a key enabler for equitable, inclusive and sustainable social and economic development.
“Let us make migration work for the benefit of migrants and countries alike. We owe this to the millions of migrants who, through their courage, vitality and dreams, help make our societies more prosperous, resilient and diverse,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his message marking the occasion.
Ban said that migration “is a reality” in the 21st century and there were now an estimated 232 million international migrants bringing consistent benefits to countries of destination and origin through their essential labour and remittances.
“Yet, this important population remains largely invisible and unheard in society,” he said, noting that almost half of migrants are women; one in 10 is under the age of 15; and 40 per cent live in developing countries.
Ban also said too many live and work in the worst conditions, with the least access to basic services and fundamental rights, making them disproportionately vulnerable to extortion, violence, discrimination and marginalisation.
The UN said it is acting to safeguard the rights of migrants, lower the social and economic costs of migration, and promote policies that maximise the benefits of mobility, the secretary general said, recalling that earlier this year, the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, many of whom were migrants, came into force.
In October, a special high-level dialogue of the General Assembly called for the post-2015 development agenda to take full account of the positive impact of international migration.
“It is essential that we conduct an open debate on this important subject. Let us make migration work for the benefit of migrants and countries alike,” said Ban, urging the international community to embrace migration as an enabler of broader development.
