Law News
10 points for the GFMD
December 18 puts forward a set of 10 points to improve the Global Forum on Migration and Development. We believe that these recommendations are the minimum requirements for the GFMD to gain legitimacy and truly address the various dimensions of the international migration processes.
1. The GFMD must give priority to the centrality of a rights-based approach to international migration. The humanity and dignity of the 200 million migrants in the world must be the primary concern of all States' delegations and other actors.
2. The GFMD must go beyond the limited and non-sustainable utilitarian approach to migration and must elaborate a long-term work plan in which all aspects of migration can be addressed.
3. The GFMD must prioritise the universal ratification of the UN Migrant Workers Convention and ILO Conventions 97 and 143.
4. The global debate on migration, development and human rights should be returned to the United Nations, where it started. This will ensure that the UN normative framework of international human rights conventions and agreements is systematically incorporated into the evolving global migration policies.
5. The GFMD must give an opportunity for migrants to be heard. The Forum should include a range of open hearings and accept a large number of migrant delegates.
6. The GFMD must create a space for Governments, civil society actors and migrants themselves to exchange and interact. The current division of the Forum does not provide enough opportunities. Civil society organizations and migrants should participate in the Governments meetings.
7. The GFMD must understand the notion of development in a way that does not negate the humanity and dignity of migrants and their families. Development is also “an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized.” The on-going reflexion on the notion of “development” from a rights-based point of view should be incorporated into the discussions.
8. Circular migration is an open door to the violations of the fundamental human rights of migrants; circular migration equals merchandisation of migrants. Instead, States should opt for more flexible visa policies and adopt legal tools that guarantee the rights of migrants.
9. Remittances are private money. Discussions about remittances should not be limited to the micro-finance opportunities they create or could create. As a priority, every effort should be made by States to put in place cheaper remittance services.
10. The GFMD should promote International Migrants Day, an annual event on the 18th of December.
Source: International Advocacy and Resource Centre on the Human Rights of Migrant Workers.
