MIGRANT.NEWS

MIGRANT.NEWS, Issue 83, 24 September 2004

Status of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

To date, there are in total 26 ratifications and 14 signatories. The new signatories are Argentina, Liberia, Peru, Indonesia and Lesotho. The latter four signed on the occasion of the UN Treaty Event that focused this year on Treaties on the Protection of Civilians, including the UN MWC. The Event was held in New York from September 21 to 24, 2004.

For more about the Convention and NGO campaigns, please view:

http://www.december18.net/web/general/page.php?pageID=79&menuID=36&lang=EN

Articles and papers on the UN MWC

La Convenzione sui diritti dei migranti e la normativa italiana sull’immigrazione

by Prof. Roberto Baratta, 28/11/2003

http://www.december18.net/web/docpapers/doc1517.doc

La Convention sur les droits des migrants et la réglementation italienne en matière d’immigration

by Prof. Roberto Baratta, 28/11/2003 (Authorised translation by December 18)

http://www.december18.net/web/docpapers/doc1738.doc

Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

The UN MWC Committee of experts will hold an informal meeting at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 11-15 October 2004 (Palais Wilson, first floor conference room). The aim of the meeting is to discuss the reporting criteria by the States Parties and discuss ways and methods to promote the Convention and its ratification. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam, has proposed to meet with representatives of non governmental organisations on Thursday 14 October at 10 am. For more information, please contact Ms. Carla Edelenbos [cedelenbos@ohchr.org].

The October 14 meeting will be attended by NGOs supporting the creation of an International Platform for the Migrant Workers’ Convention (IPMWC) that will be following up the implementation of the UN MWC in close cooperation with national coalitions and of the work by the Committee. A first NGO meeting is scheduled for 11 October from 2 pm to 5 pm in Geneva (ICMC office) to discuss organisational aspects of the Platform and possible input to the Committee meeting. For more information on cooperation, please contact December 18 at info@december18.net.

European Platform in favour of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

A first meeting, bringing together present, past and future national NGO campaigns in favour of the MW Convention, will be held on 1 October 2004 in Brussels.

The aim of the meeting is to harmonize the different campaigns taking place in the EU member states and Switzerland and to brainstorm together with the European NGOs working on Refugee and Migrant’s rights what can be done on the European level.

More information about this initiative can be obtained from:

Caroline Maurel- Agir ici / Chargée de Campagne

104, Rue Oberkampf F-75011 Paris (France)

T: 01 56 98 24 40 / F: 01 56 98 24 09

cmaurel@agirici.org / www.agirici.org

Myriam De Feyter, December 18, Coordinator

P.O.Box 22, B-9820 Merelbeke (Belgium)

T: 001 32 9 324.0092

myriam@december18.net / www.december18.net

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Special Rapporteur on Human Rights of Migrants to visit Peru

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Gabriela Rodríguez Pizarro, is visiting Peru from 20 to 30 September 2004.

During the visit the Special Rapporteur will focus on the causes and consequences of emigration in Peru and the consular protection and assistance offered by the Government to their nationals abroad. Her agenda includes issues such as irregular migration, border control, bilateral agreements and consultative processes on migration, unaccompanied children and the situation of foreigners in Peruvian prisons and migrant centers.

Ms. Rodriguez will begin her official mission in Lima and then visit Tacna and Tumbes. She is scheduled to meet senior Government officials, local authorities and representatives of the security forces. She intends to hold meetings with representatives of international organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, consular authorities, religious associations, other private organizations and individual migrants.

A report on this mission will be presented during the 61^st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

International Migrant’s Day 2004

December 18 started to gather again information about your programmes for the upcoming International Migrant’s Day on 18 December 2004 celebrating the contributions by migrants and highlighting the need for a better protection of their human rights. As usual, the events and actions will be posted on the special international IMD calendar that is made online available in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

NGOs are most welcome to use the IMD logo to promote their own events. Upon request, we will make the logo available in your own language.

Examples can be viewed on the 2003 International IMD calendar:

http://www.december18.net/web/general/page.php?pageID=183&menuID=36&lang=EN

For more information, please contact info@december18.net

Latest articles, press releases and statements

Our content database is updated on a daily basis. To add your articles and papers on the Human Rights of Migrants, please forward the text or URL to info@december18.net

http://www.december18.net/web/papers/start.php?menuID=41&lang=EN

http://www.december18.net/web/papers/start.php?menuID=41&lang=ES

http://www.december18.net/web/papers/start.php?menuID=41&lang=IT

Recent French and Dutch articles can be found by making a search by language.

A grasp from the latest articles, press releases, newsletters and statements…

· Kav LaOved's E-News - September 2004 (85kB)
24/09/2004 – News on migrant workers’ issues in Israel by Kav La'Oved (Israel)

· Be our guests.
18/09/2004 - The author David Bacon looks at the increasing number of contract workers programs in the US and raises serious doubts that these programs can effectively safeguard workers' rights.

· “Keep Irene Free, Defend the Defenders” Campaign.
16/09/2004 - The first phase of the Keep Irene Free, Defend the Defenders Campaign will come to an end today with the handing over of collected signatures to the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Tenaganita has been try(...) Tenaganita (Malaysia)

· The HMI Congress calls for a multilateral management of migration. (79kB) (PDF)
10/09/2004 - Only a multilateral management of migration can contribute to making human movements an opportunity for a more just world. This statement forms part of the conclusions of the Human Movements and Immig(...) HMI World Congress - Human Movements and Immigration (Spain)

· Let justice prevail over the unjust, immoral and discriminatory levy and wage cut on migrant workers.
07/09/2004 - The Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) expresses its full support to the petitioners of the Judicial Review of the almost one-year old levy imposed to employers of Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs)(...) Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (China (Hong Kong))

· People's caravan 2004 East and South East Asia takes off in Hong Kong.
05/09/2004 - More than 130 migrant workers, local NGOs, students and migrant advocates attended the WTO and Migration forum today organized by the Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP), Asian Migrants Coor(...) Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants (China (Hong Kong))

· Changing Configurations of Migration in Africa.
01/09/2004 - Migration in Africa is dynamic and extremely complex. This is reflected in the feminization of migration, diversification of migration destinations, transformation of labor flows into commercial migra(...) Migration Information Source (U.S.A.)

· Case Study on the Development of Filipino Migrants Movement in Some Selected Countries in the Asia Pacific & Middle East Regions
01/09/2004 - It is not surprising that a Filipino migrants movement has evolved worldwide and in Asia Pacific in particular. This has a rich and inspiring history and as earlier stated is strengthening itself. Th(...) Asia Pacific Forum on Women Law and Development (Thailand)

Updated International Calendar

Our international calendar is updated on a daily basis. To add your activities on the Human Rights of Migrants, please forward the information to romina@december18.net.

To view the calendar, please click on:

http://www.december18.net/web/calendar/start.php?menuID=49&lang=EN

http://www.december18.net/web/calendar/start.php?menuID=49&lang=ES

http://www.december18.net/web/calendar/start.php?menuID=49&lang=IT

http://www.december18.net/web/calendar/start.php?menuID=49&lang=FR

http://www.december18.net/web/calendar/start.php?menuID=49&lang=NL

Join the December 18 team

You stand for equal rights, have spare time and an easy access to the Internet! Join the December 18 team. We are 20 volunteers from different backgrounds and origins, living in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Italy, Panama and Spain. We need more bright minds and fast hands to help us with research, updates of the site and translations. We are in particular in need of native French, Italian and Dutch speakers with a good knowledge of English. For more details, please contact us info@december18.net.

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Published by December 18 vzw

For more information, please contact Myriam De Feyter at info@december18.net

Spanish, Italian, and French version available upon request.

Spanish version translated by Paula Canavesi, Argentina.

French version translated by Cathérine Thomas, France

Italian version translated by Eny Giambastiani, Italy.