Respect migrants’ rights, reject xenophobia, UN says on International Day
Dec19, 2013: To mark International Migrants Day, the United Nations family is calling
on people and Governments 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 Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon in his message for the Day, observed annually on 18 December.
Stressing
that migration “is a reality” in the 21st century, Mr. Ban said there are now some
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 ten is under the age of 15; and 40 per cent live in
developing countries. 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 marginalization.
The UN is acting
to safeguard the rights of migrants, lower the social and economic costs of migration,
and promote policies that maximize the benefits of mobility. “Migrants should not
be forced to risk lives and dignity,” the Secretary-General said, recalling that earlier
this year, the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, many of whom
are migrants, came into force.
And 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 Mr. Ban, urging the international community
to embrace migration as an enabler of broader development.
Also hailing the
action taken at the high-level meeting, General Assembly President John Ashe said
in his message that Member States committed to doing a better job of protecting the
legal and human rights of migrants the world over. The Assembly had also reaffirmed
that “migration can and should not be stopped, but that is requires better governance.”
Yet, he underscored the challenges, noting that each year billions of dollars
that could be put to good use by migrant families are being pocketed by recruiters
and financial intermediaries. Moreover, the human costs of migration are “intolerably
high,” as recent tragedies in the Mediterranean and elsewhere spotlighted the extreme
vulnerability of migrants, many of whom flee poverty, persecution and conflict.
With
all this in mind, Mr. Ashe said the 2013 High-level Dialogue demonstrated that the
international community could come together on migration. “Now is the time to translate
our shared vision into action. It is time to deliver on our promise and make a difference
in the lives of millions of migrants across this planet.”