Issue 95, 03 May 2006

 

Content

 

1. News on the Migrant Workers’ Convention
2. International Platform (IPMWC)
3. UN News
4. Regional News
5. December 18
6. Latest Articles, Press-releases and Statements
7. Events

 

 

 

1. News on the Migrant Workers’ Convention

 

The fourth session of the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (UN CMW) was held between 24 and 28 April 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland. All members were present, except Mr Carrión-Mena from Ecuador. The Committee welcomed its new members, Mr Sevim from Turkey who is replacing Mr Gakwandi from Uganda. Mr Kariyawasam was re-elected Chair of the Committee for another two-year term.

 

The Committee examined the initial report submitted by Mali under Article 73 of the Convention on 25 April 2006 and drafted the concluding observations (in French only) after a constructive dialogue on Tuesday with the delegation from Mali, made of representatives of the Ministry of Public Office and State Reform, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry for the Malians Abroad and the Mali mission in Geneva.

 

It also prepared for the examination of the initial report submitted by Mexico and adopted the list of issues for the government of Mexico, after hearing the views of IGOs (ILO, IOM, UNHCR), the Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos de México and NGOs in the morning of 26 April. The examination of Mexico report will take place at the Committee's fifth session, in October-November 2006. The list of issues will be ready soon here.

 

Besides the consideration of reports, the Committee also adopted its written contribution to the General Assembly’s High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development to be held on 14-15 September 2006 and its annual report to the GA. Rules of cooperation with the NGOs were addressed again and the Committee decided to allow for a 1-hour exchange with NGOs during the plenary session, before the examination of the state report, in order to get updated information by NGOs. It was not the case so far as NGOs only were heard during the preparation of the list-of-issues.

 

A new initial report has been received from Egypt. It is available on the CMW website (only in Arabic). We therefore call on interested organizations to envisage preparing an alternative input.

 

The records of the meeting will be available later on this page.

 

 

 

 

 

2. International Platform on the Migrant Workers’ Convention (IPMWC)

 

The IPMWC held a meeting on Monday 24 April 2006 in Geneva, at ICMC offices. It aimed at coordinating the NGO input to the work of the Committee on Migrant Workers, in particular concerning the report of Mexico. NGO inputs on Mexico can be found on this page. The meeting was also the opportunity to discuss other aspects of the work of the Committee and other relevant issues in relation to the human rights of migrant workers, such as preparation for the UN HLD in September in New York.

 

Information on the IPMWC and minutes of meetings can be found on December 18 website, please click here.

 

On the occasion of the submission of the Mexican report to the CMW, the IPMWC organised a parallel event to discuss the methodology and practice of the reporting process before the CMW, using the case of Mexico. The flyer of this event, with a description of the discussion and list of panellists, can be found here. The event was attended by a large number of persons, Geneva-based NGO representatives as well as Missions of States Parties to the MWC. It is hoped that this event will serve as a precedent for future CMW sessions. The outcome document of this event will be available soon on this page under “activities”.

 

 

 

 

3. UN News

 

High Level Dialogue

The High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (HLD) 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).

Detailed information about the High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development can be found on the following UN site.

 

An informal hearing with representatives of non-governmental organizations, civil-society organizations and the private sector will take place on 12 July 2006 in New York. Official information and the application form to take part in the hearing can be found on this page.(Deadline on 5 May)

 

See December 18 page on the High Level Dialogue.

 

Treaty Event 2006

 

 

4. Regional News

 

Europe

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has recommended that the Committee of Ministers encourage Council of Europe member states and the countries that attended the First and Second Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forums to ratify or accede to the United Nations Convention on the rights of migrant workers and their families and other international conventions on the protection of migrant women and young migrants. See the recommendation.

 

 

5. December18

 

December 18 now has a liaison officer in Geneva. She is hosted by the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC). Her contact details are:

Marie d'Auchamp (Geneva Liaison Officer December 18)
marie@december18.net
P.O.Box 96, CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel: 00 41.22.919.10.22
Fax: 00 41.22.919.10.48

 

Publications:

December18 prepared, in cooperation with other IPMWC members, the Guide for non-governmental organisations on the implementation of the UN Migrant Workers' Convention, that was ready in August 2005. There is now a corrigendum updating the content.

 

Radio Project :

On the occasion of the International Migrants’ Day on 18 December 2006, December18 is organising a round-the-world radio programme to inform about and promote migrants’ rights. Using local, regional and international stories, Radio 18-12 will be a platform that links communities worldwide. Starting in Australia and moving across the time zones, participating radio stations will air special programmes on the situation of migrant workers.

 

If you are interested, please contact info@december18.net.

 

 

6. Latest Articles, Press Releases and Statements.

 

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

 

·       Strengthening Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families with International Human Rights Treaties – A do-it-yourself Kit

27/04/06 - A recent publication by ICMC on migrant issues in the Treaty Monitoring Bodies of the UN. It will be available on ICMC website.

 

 

·       A Day Without Immigrants.

English: http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0618,ferguson,73086,2.html

02/05/06 – In New York, Mexican day labourers and landscapers from New Jersey and Connecticut marched alongside Senegalese street vendors, Chinese waiters, Puerto Rican independistas, Bangladeshis shop owners, Caribbean nannies, Uruguayan musicians, Dominican busboys, and revolutionary Filipinos.

 

·       Mexico backs 'Day Without Immigrants'.

English : http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33059

29/04/2006 - In Mexico, trade unions, groups of activists and lawmakers offered their total backing for the demonstrations that migrants in the United States will hold on Monday to demand amnesty for undocumented…

 

·       Second Class Workers.
English : http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33064

29/04/2006 - In Spain and the rest of the European Union (EU), the right to work does not apply equally to everyone. Temporary and informal sector employment, which mainly involves immigrants.

 

·       Manifiesto conjunto de la CIOSL y la CMT por el Primero de Mayo.

Español : http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991223741&Language=ES

27/04/2006 - Desde los trabajadores y trabajadoras jóvenes que reclaman que se respeten sus derechos, hasta los trabajadores y trabajadoras migrantes que luchan contra la explotación y los millones de mujeres de las zonas francas de exportación o atrapadas en trabajo informal y procurando que haya justicia.

 

·       OFW Newspacket - Volume 5 - Number 3

English : http://www.december18.net/web/docpapers/doc3826.doc

28/04/2006 - Stories from the faraway Filipino.

 

·       Immigrati: Caritas, in Italia 20mila infermieri stranieri

Italiano : http://www.vita.it/articolo/index.php3?NEWSID=67820

28/04/2006 - Il sistema sanitario italiano: molti medici e pochi infermieri. E fra questi ultimi, circa 20 mila sono cittadini extracomunitari inseriti nelle strutture pubbliche e private italiane.

 

·       CGIL CISL UIL: documento per la riforma della normativa sull'immigrazione Italiano : http://www.vita.it/articolo/index.php3?NEWSID=67820 (PDF)
27/04/2006 - Documento unitario dei tre sindacati italiani in materia di normativa per l'immigrazione.

 

·       Esiti della regolarizzazione nelle regioni meridionali e nel resto d'Italia. Percorsi di mobilità geografica e professionale dei lavoratori regolarizzati

Italiano:http://www.welfare.gov.it/NR/rdonlyres/eteoogwqslptstrrl6mkmko43vycy7goapdlx4xxbnnbcnderpuxbqs736pfam6raf7czfzojvum4jr7culvygnzlta/27.4.06comunicato.doc

27/04/2006 - Presentazione dell'indagine della fondazione ISMU promossa dal Ministero del Lavoro che analizza le caratteristiche delle domande di regolarizzazione presentate con la Bossi-Fini.

 

·       The Struggle for Immigrant Rights in the U.S.

English: http://alainet.org/active/11240&lang=en

25/04/2006 - Latino immigrants have launched an all-out fight-back against the repression, exploitation, and racism they routinely face in the United States with a series of unprecedented strikes and demonstrations.

 

·       La lucha por los derechos de inmigrantes

Español : http://alainet.org/active/show_text_en.php3?key=11278

25/04/06 - Con una serie de huelgas y manifestaciones, sin precedentes, los y las inmigrantes latinos han desatado una lucha sin cuartel contra la represión, la explotación y el racismo que enfrentan habitualmente en los Estados Unidos.

 

·       Les normes fondamentales aux Emirats arabes unis.

Français : http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991223720&Language=FR

21/04/2006 : La CISL vient de sortir un nouveau rapport sur les normes fondamentales aux Emirats arabes unis (EAU), où elle déplore des abus flagrants commis à l’encontre des travailleurs migrants, qui constituent environ 96% de la main-d’œuvre du secteur privé.

 

·       Dix ONG espagnoles dénoncent la violation des droits des immigrés mineurs lors de leur rapatriement au Maroc.

Français : http://www.december18.net/web/papers/view.php?menuID=41&lang=EN&paperID=3790

17/04/2006 - Les dix ONG espagnoles, dont "SOS Racisme", l'antenne espagnole de "Save the Children" et CEAR, relèvent que les mineurs non accompagnés fuient les centres d'accueils à Madrid et préfèrent vivre dans la rue de peur d'être repérés par la police et rapatriés à leur pays d'origine. Le document accuse l'Administration d'effectuer des opérations de rapatriement sans discernement et sans tenir compte des circonstances personnelles de chaque mineur.

 

 

More articles can be found in our content database that is updated on a daily basis. To add your articles, papers and press releases on the human rights of migrants please forward the text and/or URL to info@december18.net

 

To access the archives, click on the links below:

 

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

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

French: http://www.december18.net/f-papers.htm

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

 

 

 

 

7. Events

 

A selection from our international calendar. If you wish to add your activity, please send detailed information to info@december18.net.

 

·       II World Social Migrations Forum – Madrid – 22-24 June 2006

The Second World Social Forum on Migrations will be held from 22 to 24 June 2006, in Rivas Vaciamadrid, Spain. The WSFM is an opportunity for democratic debate of ideas, reflection and launching of proposals. It is also a place to exchange experiences and establish social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberal globalisation. A particular place will be given to the human rights of migrants during the Forum.

Information can be found on the website of the Forum. Registrations can be made until 1 June 2006 on this page.

 

·       Giornate di studio sui diritti dei migranti, organized by Associazione Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione, 03/05 - 23/05/06, Ferrara, Italy.

 

·       European Social Forum, 04/05-07/05/06, Athens, Greece.

 

·       Jornadas de debate sobre prostitución, organized by Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos de Andalucía, 04/05-05/05/2006, Granada, Spain.

 

·       Day of General Discussion of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the right to social security,15/05/2006, Palais Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland,

 

·       Expert Group Meeting on International Migration and Development in the Arab Region: Challenges and Opportunities, organized by the UN Population Division, 15/5 - 17/05/06, Beirut, Lebanon.

 

·       ECHR Training for European Immigration and Asylum Lawyers, organized by Advice on Individual Rights in Europe, 22/05-26/05/2006, London, UK.

·       Exposition Femmes migrantes en Europe 2006, organized by Le Monde selon les femmes, 29/05-04/06/06, Brussels, Belgium.

·       Workshop on irregular migration and the informal economy, organized by IMISCOE, 05/06-07/06/2006, Madrid, Spain.

 

·       Summer Course on Refugee Issues, organized by Centre for refugee studies – York University, 10/06 - 18/06/06, Toronto, Canada.

 

·       Summer Institute on International Migration, Ethnic Diversity and Cities 2006 , organized by International School for Humanities and Social Science, 11/06-29/06/2006, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

 

·       Florence School in Euro-Mediterranean Migration and Development, organized by European University Institute,15/06-30/06/2006, Florence, Italy.

To access the calendar, click on the link below:

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

 

 

 

 

Published by December 18 vzw

Editors: Isabelle Slinckx and Marie d’Auchamp

 

Contact: info@december18.net

 

The Spanish, Italian, and French versions are available upon request.

 

Spanish version translated by Elisa Starkof, December 18, Argentina

French version translated by Cathérine Thomas, December 18, France

Italian version translated by Eny Giambastiani, December 18, Italy