The International Legal Framework: Multilateral Cooperation and its Opportunities

Panel discussion on the occasion of the International Migrants Day17 December 2010, New York

Global Ratification Campaign 20th Anniversary

Website www.migrantsrights.org

Labour migration trends and characteristics

International migrant stock 1960-2010

-

50

100

150

200

250

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Millions

Years

UNDESA, 2009

Labour migration trends and characteristics (cont.)

UNDESA, 2009

International legal framework

International human rights lawILO international labour standardsUN Convention on the Rights of Migrant

Workers 1990N.B. This instrument is also one of the core

human rights treaties

Sharing the vision of the benefits of migration with the public at large…

• "Despite the evidence, few issues still elicit stronger reaction than that of migration (…)," says IOM Director General William Lacy Swing for the 2010 International Migrants Day. "Unfortunately, many of these discussions are based on emotions and myths and not on social and economic reality."

…Sharing the vision of the benefits of migration with the public at large

• Migration is here to stay and governments have to choose between adopting a "high road" or a "low road" scenario to manage migration.

• The "low road scenario" is one of status quo based on stereotypes, fear, and short-term political expediency.   It is characterized by restrictive migration policies and the paucity of dialogue on migration, at national, regional and international levels.

• At the opposite end of the policy spectrum, a "high road" scenario would heighten recognition of migration as an integral part of the global economy and of migrants as vital constituents to any full recovery from the current economic crisis. It would implement policies that better meet increasing demands for labour migration, protect the rights of migrants, promote regular dialogue and cooperation between countries of origin and destination and highlight the economic and social contribution of migrants both in home and host countries.

Inter-state cooperation (Part VI)

Obligations upon States toconsult and cooperate to promote sound, equitable

and humane migration conditions - Art 64(1)

collaborate to prevent and eliminate irregular migration - Art 68

punish traffickers, smugglers and those who exploit migrant workers (e.g. employers) - Art 68(1)-(2)

see also Trafficking and Smuggling Protocols to International Convention against Transnational Organized Crime 2000

Conclusions

« Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world. »

Eleanor Roosevelt

Thank you!

International Migration Law Unit (IML@iom.int)