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UN wants all countries to ratify
convention on migrants
Accra, Dec 18, Ghanadot/GNA- UN on Tuesday urged all Member
States who have not yet ratified or acceded to the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of
All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families to do so
to secure the rights of migrants.
It said, to date, only 37 countries have ratified the
Convention Mr Ban Ki-moon in a message on the eighth
International Migrants Day, which fell on Tuesday said the
ratification was a way to ensure the full and effective
protection of the human rights of migrants It said,
"Globalization and the growing disparities in living
conditions within and among States are combining to increase
the scale of cross-border migration worldwide.
"Currently, there are more people living outside their
countries of birth than ever before, an estimated 200
million in 2007."
The message said, "Behind this vast figure are individual
stories - of the skilled computer engineer, the farmer
working illegally, the woman trafficked against her will,
the refugee forced to flee home, and countless others.
Although their stories are diverse, when we consider
migrants as a group it becomes clear that they should not
and must not be seen as a burden."
It said’ "migrants are often driven by the aspiration for a
better life. They seek a safer, more prosperous future for
their children, and they are willing to work for it. Given
the chance to make the most of their abilities, on an equal
basis, the vast majority of migrants will be assets to
society.
"Millions of migrants provide essential services to the
economies and societies of the countries they live in while
supporting their families and communities back home, where
remittances boost the national economy.
Unfortunately, migrants rarely receive recognition for their
contributions. Instead, they often contend with abuses and
discrimination ranging from the absence of protection
mechanisms to discriminatory national legislation. In
extreme cases, they are victims of racist or xenophobic
attacks.
The message said, "Beyond action on this important treaty,
we must redress prevailing misconceptions about migrants and
raise public awareness about their valuable economic,
cultural and social contributions to both countries of
origin and destination.
It said, "On this International Migrants Day, let us replace
discrimination with understanding, to benefit not just
migrants but also communities and countries around the
world."
GNA
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