GMG

Report calls for protecting rights of migrants

The UN-backed Global Migration Group (GMG) released a report Friday asserting that nations have a duty to protect the human rights of migrants even while exercising their sovereign power because it increases their ability to contribute to the development of their destination countries.

The report is intended to give countries guidance in designing a human rights-based migration policy by providing a comprehensive outline of existing definitions, the international legal framework, and illustrations of the problems faced by various migrant groups. The report is expected to be presented at the Global Forum on Migration and Development to be held this week in Manila. The UN News Centre has more.

Members of the GMG include UN organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), along with groups like the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank.

(Published by Jurist - October 27, 2008)