Expert seminar on Linking Human Rights and Migrant Empowerment for Development, 8 October 2009, Geneva

On 8 October 2009, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) held an open-ended expert consultation to explore the relationship between human rights; the inclusion, acceptance and integration of migrants in host societies; and migrants’ contribution to the development in both origin and destination countries. The meeting aimed to support States and other stakeholders preparing for a roundtable discussion during the Third Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Athens, 4 to 5 November 2009, dedicated to the theme of “Inclusion, protection and acceptance of migrants in society - linking human rights and migrant empowerment for development”.

The meeting was opened by Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, Director, Human Rights Council and Treaties Division, OHCHR (text of opening statement)

The first session focused on the international human rights framework relevant for the inclusion and acceptance of migrants in host countries.

Panelists

• Mr. Abdelhamid El Jamri, Chairperson of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families
• Mr. Ibrahim Awad, Director of the International Migration Programme, International Labour Organization (ILO)
• Ms. Angela Li Rosi, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

The second session discussed practical experiences in promoting integration and inclusion through the protection of migrants’ human rights.

Panelists

• Ms. Cynthia Gabriel, Regional Coordinator for CARAM Asia
• Mr. John Bingham, Head of Policy, International Catholic Migration Commission
• Michele Klein Solomon, Director, Migration Policy and Research, International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The third session focused on the relationship between human rights, migrants’ empowerment and human development.

Panelists

• Ms. Luisa Bernal, Policy Specialist, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Mr. Martin Ruhs, Senior Researcher, COMPAS, University of Oxford
• Mr. Slobodan Djajic, Professor of International Economics, Graduate Institute of International Studies.

Documents

• Informal summary of discussions
• Programme of work