ratification of UN Migrants Rights Convention

UNITED E-News:
Call to co-sign letter for universal ratification of UN Migrants Rights Convention

Forwarded message from 'December 18 Online Network / Rights of Migrant Workers' below"



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Call addressed to the non-governmental organisations on this list!
NGO CALL FOR UNIVERSAL RATIFICATION OF THE UN CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES
That the human rights of migrants are not a priority for most governments is nothing new. Some governments are primarily concerned about protecting themselves against migrants; others export them without any respect for the
human being. Abuse and discrimination are experienced by migrants themselves on a daily basis around the world. However, changes in mobility patterns, an ageing population in many Western countries and a shortage of labour in
sectors where nationals are not willing to take up the jobs, are having an impact on the migration debate, with some governments starting to talk about the need for managed migration flows in order to cope with these new
challenges. Regrettably, this is usually done without giving proper attention to a human rights perspective on migration.
The entry into force of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families scheduled on July 1, 2003 won't change this situation overnight. But it is an additional tool in the
hands of non-governmental organisations, one that is needed for our fight for more justice and respect.
Therefore, it is important to show our politicians that we do support this Convention across the borders.
We invite your organisation to co-sign the attached international call and to send it for July 1, together with the list of co-signers and your own letter, to your Ministers who are responsible for migration policies and practises - whether it's from a receiving or sending perspective - and human rights protection; to parliamentarians (also MEPs for European NGOs) and to the national media.
The international call and final list of signatures will be available on http://www.december18.net. Our aim is to strengthen and to show the international support for this Convention. The call is also available in French, Spanish and Italian and is distributed in different regions. The translations can be obtained by sending an email at info@december18.net.

The deadline to co-sign is June 26 at noon GMT. To find out the corresponding time in your location, use

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedform.html
Please return your signature to info@december18.net and forward this message to your partner and member organisations.



Thanks in advance.
Yours sincerely,
Myriam De Feyter
December 18
Postbus 22
B-9820 Merelbeke
Belgium



UNITED for Intercultural Action
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