Useful UN docs, statements & related resources on the human rights of migrants

Useful UN documents, statements and related resources on the protection of the human rights of migrants

This is a list of mostly relatively recent, and relatively brief, pieces in some cases specifically produced in the context of the Compact.  The list does not include the core human rights instruments and labor standards themselves.

2017 Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Statement on the Duties of States towards refugees and migrants under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 13 March 2017, E/C.12/2017/1, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CESCR/Pages/CESCRIndex.aspx

2010 UN Global Migration Group statement on rights of migrants in an irregular situation, http://www.globalmigrationgroup.org/content/human-rights-overview

2013 Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, report to the UN General Assembly on a human-rights framework for global migration governance, https://documents.un.org/prod/ods.nsf/home.xsp, and search for symbol A/68/283

2017 Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, report to the 35th Human Rights Council on a 2035 Agenda for facilitating human mobility, http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Migration/A_HRC_35_25_EN.pdf

CERD General Recommendation XXX on Discrimination against non-citizens, http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/CERD-GC30.doc

UNWomen recommendations for the Global Compact, http://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2017/3/addressing-womens-rights-in-global-compact-for-migration

ILO Labour Standards, http://www.ilo.org/global/standards/introduction-to-international-labour-standards/lang–en/index.htm

Global Migration Group/OHCHR Principles and Guidelines, supported by practical guidance, on the human rights protection of migrants in vulnerable situations (DRAFT), http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Migration/Pages/Draftsforcomments.aspx

Global Compact Update April 27 2017

Global Compact update, April 27, 2017

United Nations site http://refugeesmigrants.un.org

now has updates on the Global Compact process.

They are accepting applications until May 2 to

  • Participate in the Stakeholder Steering Committee
  • Attend the 8-9 May first Thematic Consultation in Geneva

See http://refugeesmigrants.un.org/compact-partners for  information and instructions for both.

The informal thematic consultation is the first of six informal consultations to be held  between May and October and will focus on the  human rights of all migrants, social inclusion, cohesion and all forms of discrimination, including racism, xenophobia and intolerance.

These consultations are primarily for states, and include panelists from civil society and other stakeholder groups.  Each one will focus on several of the themes states committed in the New York Declaration to address.

The Global Coalition on Migration’s International Coordinator, Monami Maulik, will be one of the panelists speaking at the first consultation.

GCM Statement: End the Immigration Detention of Children

GCM Statement on the International Day of Action to End the Immigration Detention of Children
November 20th, 2014

As government delegations gather at the United Nations in New York to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, migrants’ rights advocates, civil society organizations, and migrant communities are participating in an International Day of Action calling for the end to the immigration detention of children.

Every day, children worldwide experience an array of human rights violations as a result of punitive immigration detention regimes. Held in detention centres, unaccompanied or with their family members, for immigration status violations or separated from detained parents or guardians, these children are deprived of their rights to liberty and family life.

“Children should not be criminalized or subject to punitive measures because of their or their parents’ migration status. The detention of a child because of their or their parent’s migration status constitutes a child rights violation and always contravenes the principle of the best interests of the child” (Committee on the Rights of the Child).

Children who are directly or indirectly affected by immigration detention, in all its forms, are at risk of trauma and abuse and are taught at a young age what it means to be members of a criminalized community. This includes families divided by adult detention.

When community-based alternatives to detention are provided, they should be the least restrictive measures. The practices of detention or mobility restriction and surveillance for immigration status violations are not legitimate, as undocumented children and their parents or guardians pose no threat to the safety or property of the society where they reside. Children should neither be subject to nor forced to witness such measures. The criminalizing stigma and psychological burden associated with detention and its variants run counter to their best interests.

On this International Day of Action to END the Immigration Detention of Children, the Global Coalition on Migration strongly urges governments to prioritize the best interests of the child over other policy concerns, and to follow the advice of the Committee on the Rights of the Child—to “expeditiously and completely cease the detention of children on the basis of their immigration status.”

#EndChildDetention
#CRC25

DOWNLOAD THE GCM STATEMENT

OHCHR Endorses GCM Borders Event

Leonardo Castilho (OHCHR)

Leonardo Castilho (OHCHR)

GCM hosted a celebration and interactive dialogue to mark the launch of new Principles and Guidelines on the protection and promotion of human rights at international borders. GCM members were involved in the drafting process of this important document—a process led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In support of the GCM event, OHCHR sent its representative, Leonardo Castilho, and also sent a letter endorsing our initiative.

OHCHR would like to express its sincere gratitude for the unwavering support and enthusiasm with which members of the Global Coalition on Migration, and notably the speakers on the panel today, have engaged in the process of developing the Principles and Guidelines. Members of the Global Coalition on Migration have also been key partners in the discussions on the protection of the human rights of migrants at international borders…

Read the full endorsement letter here.

Press Release: Migrant rights advocates applaud release of principles for human rights at international borders

Press Release, 22 October 2014
Download the PDF version.

(New York, NY) On October 22nd, in a report on the rights of migrant children to the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon announced the release of a new document outlining principles and guidelines for governments on protecting the rights of international migrants in border zones.

Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights at International Borders,” published by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), offers important recommendations to governments on how to fulfill their human rights obligations to international migrants, irrespective of legal status. While not legally binding or establishing new rights, the Guidelines point to existing obligations in core international human rights instruments to offer direction on human rights-based border governance.

Representatives of the Global Coalition on Migration (GCM), an international coalition of migrant associations and rights organizations, and advocacy, trade union, faith, and academic institutions, are in New York to welcome the release of the Guidelines. Several GCM members from Mexico, Argentina, the U.S., and Europe contributed to the drafting of the Guidelines along with other civil society groups.

The Guidelines are seen as an important advocacy tool for migrant communities.

“This timely new document gives momentum to our efforts to end the human rights crisis at borders, to reaffirm protections for all, and to save the lives of migrant men, women and children,”

says Catherine Tactaquin, GCM representative and Executive Director of the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights in the U.S. Tactaquin will speak at the OHCHR launch event on October 23, highlighting the human rights concerns of migrant communities in the world’s major migration corridors. In his report, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon calls upon governments to implement human rights safeguards at borders:

“Border governance often takes place in an environment that lacks transparency and accountability, contributing in turn to conditions of impunity and to the increased vulnerability of migrants. Some States mistakenly consider border areas as international zones or excised territory […] where they can act as though they were not bound by legal regimes or their human rights obligations.”

The Guidelines provide steps for governments to implement human rights-based border governance mechanisms, including implementing human rights training for border officials, legislating mechanisms to ensure accountability of private actors contracted to provide border management functions, and establishing procedures for the reporting of human rights violations that occur at borders with provisions for access to justice. The document highlights the need for governments to consider the individual circumstances of migrants, with particular attention to those who may be at risk and in need of assistance.

The GCM will host a celebration of the launch of the Guidelines and a civil society dialogue on their potential for enhancing human rights protections on the evening of October 23 from 5pm to 7pm at the Church Center for the United Nations.

For media inquiries and additional information, contact Karen Campbell at [email protected].

Advancing Human Rights at International Borders

Borders Side Event PosterThis week, GCM representatives are traveling to New York to welcome there release of “Recommended Principles & Guidelines on Human Rights at International Borders”—a document that will be released during the UN General Assembly on October 22nd.

The document on human rights at borders was drafted under the auspices of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and will be announced in a report by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon concerning migrant children as well as protections at borders. The Secretary General’s report is available at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Migration/Pages/WSReportGA69.aspx. Several GCM members participated in the drafting of this document along with other civil society groups.

Our delegation will also participate in a side event led by OHCHR on October 23rd, where GCM will be represented by Catherine Tactaquin (NNIRR) who will speak about the human rights concerns of migrant communities in the world’s major migration corridors.

On October 23rd, from 5pm to 7pm, GCM will host our own celebration and civil society dialogue, endorsed by OHCHR, about the guidelines document and its potential for enhancing human rights protections at international borders. This event will take place at the Church Center for the United Nations (777 UN Plaza – Boss Room, 8th floor). All are welcome to join!

Media Advisory: Migrant rights groups welcome release of principles for human rights at international borders at 69th Session of the UN General Assembly

Media Advisory, 15 October 2014
Download the PDF version

Representatives of the Global Coalition on Migration (GCM) will travel to New York to welcome the release of “Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights at International Borders” during the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on October 22. They will also participate in two public launch events on October 23.

The document on human rights at borders was drafted under the auspices of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and will be announced in a report by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon concerning migrant children as well as protections at borders. The Secretary General’s report is available at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Migration/Pages/WSReportGA69.aspx.

The GCM is an international coalition of migrant associations and rights organizations, and advocacy, trade union, faith, and academic institutions. Several GCM members from Mexico, Argentina, the U.S., and Europe contributed to the drafting of the guidelines, along with other civil society groups. Catherine Tactaquin of the National Network on Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR) in the U.S. and a representative of the GCM will speak at the OHCHR launch event on October 23, highlighting the human rights concerns of migrant communities in the world’s major migration corridors.

 …border governance is often prompted solely by national security considerations, and the human rights of migrants are often violated. International borders are not zones of exclusion or exception of human rights obligations. States have the duty to comply with their human rights obligations and all of the safeguards and checks and balances that are embedded in national legislation. — OHCHR

The GCM will host a celebration of the launch of the guidelines and a civil society dialogue on their potential for enhancing human rights protections on the evening of October 23 at the Church Center for the United Nations.

October 22
Circulation of the Guidelines during the 69th Session of the UNGA as a Conference Room Paper accompanying the report of the Secretary General on the Protection of Migrants (A/69/277)

October 23
OHCHR Side Event, “Human Rights at International Borders Recommended Principles and Guidelines”
Time & Location TBC

GCM Celebration & Civil Society Discussion: “Human Rights at International Borders”
5pm to 7pm, Church Center for the United Nations  (777 UN Plaza, NYC – Boss Room)

For media inquiries, contact Karen Campbell – [email protected]