The National Human Rights Commission is going to organise an international conference on ‘Protection of Rights of Migrant Workers’ in Kathmandu from November 12-14. According to the NHRC, the conference aims to highlight human rights of migrant workers and focuses on the issues and challenges in origin, transit and destination countries.

“Migration is a regular process at global level. As this is a transnational issue, effective administration and management of migrant worker requires efforts of two or more countries. Therefore, the origin, transit and destination countries need to stand united and exchange necessary cooperation for capacity development, empowerment and protection of rights of migrant workers,” the NHRC Chairperson Anup Raj Sharma said at a meeting today.

Issues of migration have been gaining more attention throughout the world. The Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was adopted at the Intergovernmental Conference on Migration in Morocco in December last year. It marks enhanced cooperation on international migration in all its dimensions and reiterates the human rights of all migrants. It sets out 23 objectives for safe, orderly and regular migration, each of which include commitments and suggested follow-up actions for member states. Though it is not legally binding, concerned governments are responsible for ensuring that their policies and practices are consistent which the objectives of the Global Compact.

It also aims to commit the member states to work towards alternatives to migration detention, provide access to basic services and social cohesion. According to the NHRC, protection of rights of the migrant workers is a current global issue which has emerged as an interest and priority to all the states. Large number of migrant workers from Nepal and South Asia proceed each day as economic migrants to other countries. Considering this tendency, fair and responsible recruitment practices, protecting rights of the migrant workers, family rights of the migrant workers and access to justice has become all the more important.

The three-day conference will have different thematic sessions. Papers presented by national and international experts will be discussed. After three days of extensive discussions and constructive inputs – as an outcome, ‘Kathmandu Declaration’ announced. Action plan will be prepared to implement the declaration. The conference is expected to bring together experts and representatives of government and non-government organisations and rights bodies. Representation from as many as 20 counties and participation of chiefs of 10 human rights bodies have already been confirmed.

Published on: 26 September 2019 |The Himalayan Times