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In depth I  Migrations In Southern Africa, women are changing the face of migration Source: INSTRAW This study focuses on female migration from and between six countries, namely Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, principally to South Africa. Through a combination of literature review, focus group discussions, and personal interviews, the study documents the changing role of women within migratory flows in Southern Africa, explores the potential impact of the increase in women who migrate independently as heads of households as well as migrants’ access to financial and other services. April 2008.[see more]   print    send   Correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >> II World Social Forum on Migrations - June 2006 Human mobility has always existed at all times linked to different historical processes. Nowadays, when migratory movements have been intensified, theories of migration have tended to concentrate on what causes people to move to new countries, focusing on structural conditions such as recomposition of capital or globalisation of markets, national policies, wage differentials between countries, natural disasters, political persecution, armed conflicts, poverty, etc. According to the report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants at the 61st session of the Commission on Human Rights, migratory flows “originate in socio-economic inequality and unequal human rights, and are swelled by the attraction of more developed countries, which offer well-being, opportunities and democratic freedoms". (E/CN.4/2005/85, pdf) One of the priorities identified in this report "has been to promote ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which provides a suitable legal framework for the adoption of policies on migration management that respect migrants’ human rights and fundamental freedoms". This situation of mobility takes place alongside an increased control of borders by developed countries. The latter have strengthened and applied new technologies to hunt for undocumented migrants. A serious case to be taken into account is the situation along the US-Mexico border, where even US paramilitary groups intervene to prevent the entrance of people from its neighbour country. These measures have been intensified after the September 11 attack on New York, and many times the anti-terrorist justification has served several countries to implement anti-immigration policies which were already being applied for other reasons. These policies are generally applied in a selective manner: migration due to certain labour demands is authorized, those who do not find a job are expelled and those who are in an illegal situation are punished. However, according to several studies, an increased border control fails to prevent the growth of global mobility, since this is already structurally embedded in the economies and societies of most countries, while at the same time it brings forward the discussion on the rights of all people to move freely. Undocumented migration can be interpreted as the expression of people’s claim to their right to migrate, a right already included in other universal rights (See "Global Migration Perspectives. Migration without borders: an investigation into the free movement of people” , April 2005, UNESCO, pdf). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (art. 13.1) and other treaties acknowledge the rights of all people to move freely and choose their residence within a State. Said rights should be understood in their both senses: the capacity of all human beings to freely circulate and move and to choose residence without impediment or obstacles placed by the State or third parties; and in the other sense, the right to legally remain wherever they wish, without being forced to abandon their place of residence against their will. "The implementation of international treaties on human rights is essential to ensure respect for the human rights of migrants. The most relevant of such treaties to the rights of migrants, the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (MWC) entered into force in July 2003. However, it has been ratified only by 27 countries. In the meantime, 116 countries have ratified all six treaties on human rights: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966), International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD, 1965), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW, 1979), Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT, 1984) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989) . Together with the MWC, these seven conventions are known as the “core international human rights treaties”. All of them contain strong non-discriminatory clauses ensuring applicability of many provisions to migrants” . (Excerpted from the research carried out by the International Catholic Migration Commission – ICMC, and December 18, with the support of UNESCO: "The UN Treaty Monitoring Bodies and Migrant Workers: a Samizdat", pdf.). There are other analysis of this reality that attempt to delve deeply into the large variety of existing situations, without forgetting about the options and desires of people, whether poor or rich, and which draw attention to reductionist positions that tend to victimise migrants. According to Laura Agustín, “There is a growing tendency to victimise poor people, weak people, uneducated people and migrant people. The trend, which began as a way of drawing attention to specific forms of violence committed against women, has now become a way of describing everyone on the lower rungs of power. Routinely, supporters position them as victims in order to claim rights for them, but this move also turns them into victims, and victims need help, need saving—which gives a primary role to supporters. Much rhetoric about migration has fallen into this pattern: migrants, it turns out, are not only vulnerable to exploitation, a patent truth, but they are ‘victims’”. ( From "Forget victimisation: granting agency to migrants", Agustín, pdf.). The United Nations General Assembly prepares a high-level dialogue on international migration in 2006, which is regarded as an opportunity to address the different elements of the migration phenomenon. Above all, for the purpose of making more visible –and if possible, eliminating– the gap existing between the acknowledgement of the rights of migrants by the human rights international system and their reality. At this future instance, the idea is also to encourage the cooperation of different UN agencies and to formulate certain principles that would define a multilateral framework for the management of migration. Versión en español share:   print    send   correct  ADD YOUR COMMENT >>  Migration: a global issue  New approaches to migration  Migration within the UN human rights system: official information  Migration within the UN human rights system: analysis  International Labour Organization (ILO)  Other UN bodies and interagency information  Migration and the WCAR  Intergovernmental initiatives  Gender and migration  Specialized organizations  Special reports   News Up-to-date current affairs information. Wed Nov 21 2007 Sri Lankan domestic workers face abuse Fuente: Human Rights Watch In-depth reports Detailed reports on key issues Global labour rights As transnational corporations spread their operations around the world in search of a cheap and flexible labour force, the call for global labour rights becomes more urgent. Migrant sex work By simply opting to talk about ‘migrant sex work’ rather than ‘trafficking’, one is taking sides in a complex debate. Economic, social and cultural rights - ESCR ESC rights are valid, enforceable, justiciable and claimable under both local and international law. Civil society is campaigning for their full implementation. Convention on rights of migrants One of the most delayed UN instruments is now a reality. The right to adequate housing The right to housing is a basic human right, essential to the fulfilment of a decent life.      Migration: a global issue The articles below analyze migration from a global perspective. They explore its causes, migrant's specific vulnerable condition , responses from the international community, as well as other issues related to this phenomenon. Migration without borders: an investigation into the Free Movement of People Source: UNESCO Antoine Pécoud and Paul de Guchteneire This paper discusses a Migration Without Borders (MGB) scenario, that is the possibility of border controls be suppressed and people granted the right to move freely throughout the world. The first section describes the contemporary evolution of migration and border controls. The following sections investigate the MWB scenario from four different perspectives: human rights/ethics, economics, social and practical. April 2005, pdf format. The Millennium Development Goals and Migration Source: International Organization for Migration - IOM This paper discusses the linkages between migration and the Millennium Development Goals, with specific focus on poverty alleviation, gender, health, environmental sustainability and global partnerships. April 2005, pdf format. Protecting migrant workers in a globalized world Source: Migration Information Source Ryszard Cholewinski Although this paper recognizes the importance of the different treaties that protect the human rights of migrants it points out some important aspects that are not taken into account, such as the feminization of migrant labour and the increasing short-term nature of labor migration. It suggests new approaches to address the issue. This article is part of a special issue of the Migration Information Source on Migration and Human Rights. March 2005. International migration, remittances and development: myths and fact Source: GCIM Hein de Haas In this paper, the reciprocal migration-development relationship is examined through the discussion of seven migration myths that are prevalent in public discourses. Pdf format, April 2005. Papers from the World Congress Human Movement and Immigration This congress was held on September 2-5 within the framework of the Universal Forum of Cultures–Barcelona 2004. It brought together participants from the academic world, international organizations, government, local and regional authorities, NGOs, the public and private sectors and mass media from all over the world. Papers on a variety of subjects are available: remittances and development, migration management, transnational communities and diaspora, regional integration and economic impacts, gender , social exclusion and segregation. Strangers in foreign lands: diversity, vulnerability and the rights of migrants Source: UNESCO Fernand deVarennes "While migrant workers often make significant contributions to the economies and societies of the State in which they work and of their State of origin they remain, from a legal point of view, more vulnerable than many other groups who have the benefit of clearer and more wade-ranging international and regional legal protection". Pdf format, 2003. Migration and development: a perspective from Asia Source: International Organization for Migration - IOM Despite the fact that, as the title tells us, this study presents an Asian perspective, we included it in this section because it makes a contribution to the newly emerged debate on migration and development. The paper is divided into three sections: The first focuses on the financial flows associated with international migration. The second section is concerned with diasporas and how these can be mobilized to the extent that they benefit the communities of origin. The final part draws a number of conclusions on the impact of migration on poverty. 2003, pdf format. Revisiting the migration and trafficking nexus: the South Asian scenario Source: Sari Given the need to explore and address inherent linkages between migration and trafficking issues, SARI/Equity, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) jointly organized a regional conference held on April 4-6, 2005. Data and research on human trafficking: a global survey Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM) This study provides a synthesis and analysis of the main types of research on trafficking world-wide, and suggests ways to enhance research and data in this area. August 2005.    New approaches to migration The following three articles show a different perspective from the one adopted by traditional actors. They challenge the notion of border and national states and they oblige us to rethink the categorization of "migrant". Forget victimisation: granting agency to migrants Laura Agustín The ‘migrant’ is a category excluded from not only from celebratory concepts such as transnationalism and cosmopolitanism but also increasingly spoken of as a victim. This article exposes prejudices in what is meant by the term and proposes another vision, in which less advantaged people are granted ordinary human autonomy. 2003, pdf format. Interview with Saskia Sassen Source: 16 Beaver In this interview Sassen discusses her book "Guests and aliens", where among other things she shows how migrations "transcend the brute facts of persecution, poverty and overpopulation". She "could not and would not deny the spur of such forces, but will argue that these brutal motivations are raw ingredients which combine and metamorphose within larger political and economic structures so that people are set in motion". November 2003. The transnational turn in migration studies Source: Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM) Peggy Levitt and Ninna Nyberg-Sørensen This article addresses migration from a transnational perspective. It outlines this new concept and aims at sowing how migrant's transnational practices can be utilized to further development. October 2004, pdf format. The boundaries of belonging: reflections on migration Policies into the 21st Century Source: Inter Pares Alison Crosby This paper examines the politics of categorization that defines people who move,as well as the migration containment policies that set and maintain the boundaries of these categories. The paper explains why "the problem" is not migration per se, but rather the way the powerful seek to control and contain the movement of people. Migration policies are a form of population control; the issue is who is controlled, and how. And because of the who, and the how, migration policy is a justice issue. June 2006, pdf format. Migration policy: from control to governance Source: Open Democracy Saskia Sassen Beyond immigration policy and its possibilities lie questions of social justice and human rights. There is a need to forge a substantive conception of political membership for immigrants as well as for marginalised citizens and poor people in the countries of the rich world. Saskia Sassen is professor in the department of sociology at the University of Chicago and at the London School of Economics. You also can find in this web site "A universal harm: making criminals of migrants". July 2006.    Migration within the UN human rights system: official information The following are seven core international human rights treaties. Despite the fact that only one deals specifically with migrant workers, the other six contain provisions that protect the human rights of all human beings, regardless of their citizenship, as safeguarded by their non-discrimination clauses. The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families entered into force in July 2003. Only 27 countries have ratified the former while 116 have done so with the other six human right treaties. 1- International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICMRW). Articles 22 and 23 refer explicitly to the human rights of all migrant workers and their families; article 39 refers to migrants that are working legally in the host country. 2- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Articles 12 and 13 refers to liberty of movement and other rights of those who move. 4- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Article 5 guarantees the right to equality before the law "without distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origins". 5- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) . 6- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). 7- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development - 14-15 September 2006 Source: United Nations General Assembly The High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development will take place on 14 and 15 September 2006 in New York at UN Headquarters. In its resolution 58/208 of 23 December 2003, the General Assembly decided to devote a high-level dialogue to international migration and development during its sixty-first session in 2006. The purpose of the high-level dialogue is to discuss the multidimensional aspects of international migration and development in order to identify appropriate ways and means to maximize its development benefits and minimize its negative impacts. Additionally, the high-level dialogue should have a strong focus on policy issues, including the challenge of achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW) Source: OHCHR The Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families by its State parties. Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the human rights of migrants Source: OHCHR The aim of the Special Rapporteur , as established by the Commission, is “to examine ways and means to overcome the obstacles existing to the full and effective protection of the human rights of migrants, including obstacles and difficulties for the return of migrants who are undocumented or in an irregular situation”. Since 1999 the Special Rapporteur is Ms. Gabriela Rodríguez Pizarro, from Costa Rica. In this page is available her latest report (pdf) submitted to the 61st session of the Human Rights Commission (March-April 2005). The core international human rights instruments and their monitoring bodies Source: OHCHR This page provides links to the seven core international human rights treaties mentioned above, as well as to the committees of experts that monitor implementation of the treaties provisions by its States parties. Some of the treaties are supplemented by optional protocols dealing with specific concerns, to which links are also provided. NGLS Roundup: human rights of migrants Source: UN-NGLS Background information, issues at stake, migration issues at the UN, information on the Convention and the Campaign, ILO convention and other campaigns. Fact sheet: the right of migrant workers Source: UNHCHR This fact sheet explains the structure and procedures of United Nations human rights treaty monitoring bodies and special mechanisms related to migration. Migration: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights International legal framework and human rights mechanisms, OHCHR's activities on migration, discussion papers, news and statements on migrants. United Nations calls on States to ratify treaty protecting migrants rights Source: U.N. The United Nations today marked International Migrant’s Day with fervent appeals for the vast majority of States who have not yet done so to adhere to the treaty that seeks to protect the rights of the estimated 195 million people around the world who have left their homelands in search of better lives. December 2006.    Migration within the UN human rights system: analysis Information produced by NGOs, many intended to be used as advocacy tools. Convention on the rights of migrants Choike's in-depth report on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The UN treaty monitoring bodies and migrant workers: a Samizdat Source: December 18 December 18 and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), with support from UNESCO, engaged in a research project to study country specific conclusions and recommendations issued by bodies of experts tasked with supervising the implementation of these conventions. As it stated in the introduction, "whether migrants fall so low so as to be below the guard of protection provided by the ensemble of international human rights treaties is the question at the heart of this research paper". April 2005, pdf format. How to strengthen protection of migrant workers and members of their families with international human rights treaties Source: International Catholic Migration Commission – ICMC This "do-it-yourself" kit offers tools for mapping out and implementing respect for the human rights applicable to migrant workers and members of their families. It compares the various treaty monitoring bodies, including their membership, reporting schedules, working methods and costs andgives details about the contents and adoption of the relevant treaties. It provides concrete comparable data for informed decision on issues relating to implementation of the Convention. January 2004, pdf format. Report on migration and development "lacks gender perspective on migration" Source: Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) Nalini Singh The Asia-Pacific Forum on Women expresses critical concerns on the United Nations Secretary General's report on migration and development in the areas of: the report lacking substantive discussion on the gender perspectives of migration; the report focusing on the economic aspects of migration and development; and the lack of emphasis on the 1990 UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. July 2006.    International Labour Organization (ILO) The International Labour Organization was the first organization to recognize globally the rights of migrant workers through legally binding conventions, that where then to be the basis for the UN Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The organization also does continuous research on the issue and takes part in major events and bodies dealing with migration at a global level. Text of the Conventions Source: ILO The ILO has two legally binding instruments relating to migrant workers: Convention No. 97 of 1949 (C97) concerning Migration for Employment and Convention No. 143 of 1975 (C143) concerning Migrations in Abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Workers. Both are complemented by non-binding recommendations. ILO on International Labour Migration This page offers an overview of the issue, acces to standards, a database, publications and other relevant information. Globalization, labour and migration: protection is paramount Source: ILO Patrick Taran and Eduardo Geronimi This article explains the causes and impact of migration as a global phenomenon. Its fundamental premise is that labour migration must be governed by a legislative framework based on the international norms regarding migrant workers and decent work. Formato pdf. Towards a fair deal for migrant workers in the global economy Source: ILO A report by the International Labour Organization on labour migration points out the importance of multilateral action in regards to international norms. It emphasizes the promotion by the ILO of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The report also offers comprehensive information on the issue: causes and consequences, conditions of work and treatment, international regulation, etc. Pdf format.    Other UN bodies and interagency information Research and information produced by other UN bodies. UNESCO on international migration and multicultural policies This site offers news, activities, publications, links and mailing lists related to migrations. It focuses on the UN Migrant Workers' Convention and is strongly committed to its campaign. The International Migration Policy Programme papers and statements Source: IMPP This Inter-Agency Programme for Government Capacity Building and Co-operation on Migration and Refugee Policies has commissioned some papers on migration policy, such as "Migration and Human Security" and "The Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking Phenomena". Inter-Agency document on `International Migration, Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia´ Source: UNHCHR A publication prepared by the International Labour Office (ILO), the national Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in consultation with Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). August 2001, pdf format. African migration: from tensions to solutions Source: Africa Renewal - U.N. Department of Public Information While industrial countries are promoting easier flows of capital, goods and services, they are at the same time restricting the movement of labour, which comes mainly from developing countries. Developing countries view this as a double standard, especially since labour is an important factor in the production of goods and services. January 2006. High-Level Dialogue and Hearings on International Migration Source: UN-NGLS The High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development will take place on 14 and 15 September 2006 in New York at UN Headquarters. In its resolution 58/208 of 23 December 2003, the General Assembly decided to devote a high-level dialogue to international migration and development during its sixty-first session in 2006. The purpose of the high-level dialogue is to discuss the multidimensional aspects of international migration and development in order to identify appropriate ways and means to maximize its development benefits and minimize its negative impacts. Additionally, the high-level dialogue should have a strong focus on policy issues, including the challenge of achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Informal Interactive Hearings with NGOs, civil society and the private sector - 12 July 2006 To ensure the participation of civil society, a Civil Society Task Force is being set up and will take the lead in the Informal Interactive Civil Society Hearings, scheduled to take place on 12 July 2006. Their recommendations will be summarized in a document that will be one of the official documents for the High-level Dialogue in September 2006. U.N. Non-Governmental Liaison Service's information    Migration and the WCAR The Declaration and Program of Action adopted at the World Conference Against Racism and Xenophobia (WCAR) in Durban in 2001 included 40 paragraphs on the treatment of migrant workers, refugees and other non- nationals. This is worth highlighting since many NGOs actively participated in all stages of the conference: the preparatory process, drafting of documents, follow up procedures, etc. Migration and trafficking Source: OHCHR WCAR’s website on the issue. This section explains why the phenomenon of migration is related to discrimination. It states that it is necessary to better use existing mechanisms to address issues related to he human rights of migrants. Declaration and Programme of Action Source: OHCHR Complete version of the document. It reaffirms ILO Conventions 97 and 143 and the 1990 International Convention on migrant workers rights as basic standards. It “urges States to take concrete measures that would eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the workplace against all workers, including migrants and ensure the full equality of all before the law, including labour law.” Pdf format. Declaration of the Asia Pacific NGO Forum This document was the output of a preparatory meeting for WCAR that took place in Tehran, Iran, from 18-19 February 2001. There is a whole section dedicated to migrants and trafficked persons and racism. There NGOs stated that "The discrimination experienced by most migrant workers, is manifested in restrictive immigration and labor laws and policies; the denial of trade union rights; exploitative working conditions, low wages and non-payment of wages; lack of access to public services such as health, housing and social security. In this context women migrant workers experience multiple forms of discrimination". Elements for an NGO Program of Action Source: Migrants Rights International Compiled by Migrants Rights International, this document draws on contributions from several NGOs on the proposed language relating to migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers and internally-displaced persons put forward for consideration by States in the World Conference Against Racism (2001).    Intergovernmental initiatives In this section we include organizations and initiatives made up of or promoted by different governments, that work either at a regional or a global level. International Organization for Migrations IOM is an intergovernmental organization that carries out a variety of migration management activities throughout the world. The IOM Migration Research Series makes available many papers on issues such as migration and development, remmittances, border control, etc. The Berne Initiative Source: IOM The Berne Initiative is a states-owned consultative process with the goal of obtaining better management of migration at the regional and global level through co-operation between States. In this page policy research papers of the initiative are available, as well as documents such as "Development of an International Agenda for Migration Management". Regional Conference on Migration An intergovernmental forum of eleven countries in North and Central America devoted to sharing information and promoting dialogue on migration. This site provides information and documents produced by the Conference and about its activities, projects and seminars. Provides links to a variety of migrant-related agencies, NGOs and information sources around the world. Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM) Aiming to provide the framework for the formulation of a coherent, comprehensive and global response to migration issues, and acting on the encouragement of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM) was established in December 2003. The GCIM is comprised of 19 independent commissioners tasked with the responsibility of submitting a report and recommendations to the UN Secretary-General by mid-Summer 2005. The Global Commission is supported by a group of Governments, led by Sweden and Switzerland, and its secretariat is based in Geneva.The Commission produces a series of research papers called Global Migration Perspectives, that deal with different aspects of the issue.    Gender and migration When dealing with migration, we often hear the word "feminization". These articles explore this dimension of migration. Sex, gender and migrations: facing up to ambiguous realities Laura Agustín "With so many possible aspects of women’s migrations to research and consider, the reductionist debate on ‘trafficking’ is lamentable. When the subject is not a minority of women who are duped, sequestered and enslaved, we should be able to give credit where it is due to women and transsexuals, as well as men, who dare to make decisions to better their lives by leaving their homes to work abroad, no matter what kind of work they have to do". 2003, pdf format. Migrant women Source: WHRnet This report summarizes the many problems migrant women face, including legal problems encountered at the international level. It provides statistics on women and migration, and discusses relevant international instruments and mechanisms. June 2003. Special issue of the Migration Information Source on women and migration Source: Migration Information Source Highlighted articles: "The Global Dimensions of Female Migration", "Women and Migration:Incorporating Gender into International Migration Theory", "Asian Women Migrants:Going the Distance, But Not Far Enough". Colombo Declaration Source: CARAM Asia CARAM Asia with the support of the U N Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other NGOs and international organizations organized a Regional Summit on Foreign Migrant Domestic Workers, from 26-28 August 2002, in Colombo, Sri Lanka with the objective of understanding the current status of foreign migrant domestic workers, defining emerging issues in order to increase protection to reduce various forms of vulnerability especially to HIV/AIDS. This is the outcome of this summit. It states that " The right to stay and the right to move within and across borders with dignity are fundamental to human civilization. Foreign migrant domestic workers contribute to the socio-economic development of societies and economies". Dignity and respect for the human rights of women migrant domestic workers Joint Statement of the Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) and Migrants Rights International (MRI) delegation, delivered to the Committee on Migrant Workers at the 92nd Session of the International Labour Conference. June 2004. Everywhere, yet invisible Source: India Together Does participatory development result from the actions of local groups themselves, or is it shepherded by NGOs? A documentary film on migrant women labourers explores their coping strategies against poverty and restricted roles, as well an NGO's efforts on their behalf. 14 May, 2005. Helping women who sell sex: the construction of benevolent identities Source: Rhizomes Social interventions aimed at helping the group positioned as most needy in Europe today, migrant women who sell sex, can be understood by examining that time, 200 years ago, when ‘the prostitute’ was identified as needing to be saved. Before, there was no class of people who viewed their mission to be ‘helping’ working-class women who sold sex, but, during the ‘rise of the social,’ the figure of the ‘prostitute’ as pathetic victim came to dominate all other images. May 2005. Gender and migration Source: BRIDGE Susie Jolly with Hazel Reeves This Overview Report on Gender and Migration takes a broad approach to migration –it looks at the gender dynamics of both international and the lesser-researched internal migration and the interconnections between the two. People may choose to migrate, or have no choice, or the decision may fall somewhere on the continuum between the two. This report therefore covers both forced and voluntary migration, including covering economic and other voluntary migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons and trafficked people. These migrants in turn come through regular (conforming to legal requirements) or irregular channels. 2005, pdf format. Feminized migration in East and Southeast Asia: policies, actions and empowerment Source: UNRISD Keiko Yamanaka and Nicola Piper This paper was written by Keiko Yamanaka and Nicola Piper, and produced by UNRISD. It addresses the feminization of labour migration in East in Southeast Asia. Despite the great need to protect their welfare and human rights, governments of their destination countries view migrants as merely a workforce to meet labour shortages, and ignore protective measures and gender-sensitive policies. Under pressure to increase foreign revenues, labour-source countries encourage their women to migrate and remit their earnings from abroad, but in the face of global competition, governments of source countries have shown little interest in their migrant women's welfare. Feminized migration has increased inequality and injustice based on gender, class and nationality in Asia. It has also, however, opened up opportunities for migrant women to increase family incomes and for Asia's growing civil society to challenge oppressive policies and practices affecting migrants. Although many legal and institutional barriers to social justice remain in labour-importing countries, civil actions by citizens and migrants comprise significant steps toward the realization of migrant workers' rights. December 2005. State of world population 2006: women and inernational migration Source: UNFPA The launch of the State of World Population 2006 comes just a week before the High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development in New York. This meeting will take place at the United Nations from 14 to 15 September. This year’s State of World Population report "examines the scope and breadth of female migration, the impact of the funds they send home to support families and communities, and their disproportionate vulnerability to trafficking, exploitation and abuse". September 2006. In Southern Africa, women are changing the face of migration Source: INSTRAW This study focuses on female migration from and between six countries, namely Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, principally to South Africa. Through a combination of literature review, focus group discussions, and personal interviews, the study documents the changing role of women within migratory flows in Southern Africa, explores the potential impact of the increase in women who migrate independently as heads of households as well as migrants’ access to financial and other services. April 2008.    Specialized organizations December 18 An organization that works to promote and protect the rights of migrants with respect as basic values, supporting the work of migrant organizations in the different regions by using the Internet as a tool networking and the dissemination of information. Sin Fronteras Mexican organization working on migrants and refugees. In Spanish. Migrant Rights International It is a global civil society network of migrant associations, human rights advocates, labour and church-based groups, and experts promoting the human rights of migrants. International Movement Against all forms of Discrimination and Racism IMADR is an international human rights organization devoted to eliminating discrimination. International Catholic Migration Commission The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) works with refugees, internally displaced people and forced migrants. Southern African Migration Project Research, policy and training programme designed to facilitate the formulation and implementation of new initiatives on cross-border population migration in the region. CARAM Asia- Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility This organization develops participatory action to empower migrant workers and their communities through the promotion and protection of their rights and the creation of an enabling environment at all stages of migration to reduce HIV/AIDS vulnerability. MFA- Migrant Forum in Asia MFA is a regional network of non-government organizations (NGOs), associations and trade unions of migrant workers, and individual advocates in Asia who are committed to protect and promote the rights and welfare of migrant workers. Philippine Migrants Rights Watch Civil society network that was established to encourage the recognition, protection and fulfillment of Filipino migrants’ rights - both in the Philippines and abroad during the entire migration process. Global IDP (Internally Displaced Person) Project While refugees are eligible to receive international protection and help under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocal, the international community is not under the same legal obligation to protect and assist internally displaced people. National governments have the primary responsibility for the security and well-being of all displaced people on their territory, but often they are unable or unwilling to live up to this obligation. In the absence of a single agency mandated to help IDPs, the international community has been trying to work together to develop adequate responses to the needs of the displaced within the framework of the “collaborative approach”. Forced Migrations Review FMR provides the humanitarian community with a practice-oriented forum for debate on issues facing refugees and internally displaced people in order to improve policy and practice and to involve refugees and IDPs in programme design and implementation.    Special reports Migrant world Source: BBC BBC report on migrations that also provides a guide to the movement of people across the world. 2004. Migration Dialogue It provides timely, factual and nonpartisan information and analysis of international migration issues through five major activities: the newsletters Migration News and Rural Migration News, Changing Face and other Research & Seminars, and the CEME project. Morocco: from emigration country to Africa's migration passage to Europe Source: Migration Policy Institute Hein de Haas Although Moroccan policymakers and the media stress the temporary, transitory character of sub-Saharan migration, an increasing proportion of these officially "temporary" migrants might become permanent settlers. These African migrants to Morocco face substantial xenophobia and social and economic marginalization. At the same time, their presence confronts Moroccan society with an entirely new set of social and legal issues typical for immigration countries, issues that do not yet resonate with Morocco's self-image as an emigration country. October 2005. Migrant worker remittances: a way out of poverty? Source: Social Watch Carlos Heredia Emigration from Latin America and the Caribbean has sped up drastically since 1980. Some factors that have led to the expulsion of the migrant population are the inability to create jobs with decent wages, armed conflicts, devastation caused by natural disasters, the development gap between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, and the huge wage disparities with respect to the United States. December 2006. Concerns about the fundamental rights of undocumented migrants in Europe Source: Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants - PICUM Luca Bicocchi and Michele LeVoy At the European level, the various initiatives undertaken by the European Commission have been mainly aimed at combating irregular migration, with scarce attention to the human rights of undocumented migrants. There has been an increasing number of deaths at European Union borders; undocumented migrants face various barriers in accessing health care services; the right to fair working conditions has been continously eroded and there is lack of protection for undocumented children. February 2007. United States - Mexico: walls, abuses, and deaths at the borders Source: International Federation of Human Rights This new report by the International Federation for Human rights (FIDH) is the result of an investigation conducted through 2007 from the southern borders of Mexico to the U.S. states of Arizona and Texas, investigating the rights of undocumented Central American and Mexican migrants traveling to the United States. The report denounces the human rights violations perpetrated against migrants by both the Mexican and the U.S. authorities, in complete impunity. It criticizes both States for enforcing incoherent national migration policies which openly disregard their human rights obligations under national and international law, including the right to life. March 2008.

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