Human rights, as expressed in international and regional instruments, have entered all spheres of policymaking and migration is no exception. Nevertheless, migrants continue to be disproportionately affected by human rights violations. This is due principally to their status as non-nationals in the country in which they reside, but also occurs during their often perilous journeys and during or upon return to their home country. Contrary to common assumptions, documented migrants are not immune to abuse of their human rights, but migrants in irregular situations generally face higher levels of vulnerability, as they encounter greater barriers in accessing the protection to which they are entitled. It is of paramount importance to stress that human rights apply to all migrants, irrespective of their migratory status. Certain specific conditions or circumstances require particular attention because of the high risk of human rights abuse that they entail: hazardous modes of travel and abuse at the hands of smugglers; discrimination, racism and xenophobic violence; de facto or de jure prevention from access to health and education; detention; exploitation in the workplace; ageand gender-specific vulnerabilities; and human trafficking situations.

The International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) was dedicated in 2009 to addressing these challenges and identifying practical solutions with a view to giving effect to the human rights of migrants at all stages of the migration process.

Agenda

Monday, 23 November 2009

10:00 - 13:00

Opening procedures, election of officers and admission of new Members and Observers, report of the Director General, general debate

15:00 - 15:30

Address on Migration, Human Rights and the Economic Crisis

H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Republic of Liberia (Keynote address | Video)

15:30 - 18:00 General Debate - Statements by Members and Observers

 

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

10:00 - 13:00 IOM Governance and General Debate
15:00 - 16:30

Global Migration Group (GMG)

Interactive discussion with the IOM membership on the economic crisis and the GMG's priority areas of focus

Panellists:

  • William Lacy Swing, Director General, IOM
  • Carlos Lopez, Executive Secretary, UNITAR, Current Chair of the GMG
  • Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner, UNHCR
  • Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General, UN-DESA
16:30 - 17:00 Irregular Migration and Mixed Flows: IOM's approach
Presentation by the Administration and discussion
17:00 - 18:00

General Debate - Statements by Members and Observers

 

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

10:00 - 13:00 IOM Governance and General Debate
15:00 - 18:00

International Dialogue on Migration - Human Rights and Migration: Working Together for Safe, Dignified and Secure Migration

High-level plenary presentations and discussion on human rights and migration

Panellists:

  • Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al-Balooshi (Presentation | Bio), Minister of Social Development, Kingdom of Bahrain
  • Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director, Immigration, Asylum and Borders, Directorate General Justice, Freedom and Security, European Commission
  • Kyung-wha Kang (Presentation), Deputy High Commissioner, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Drazen Maravic (Presentation), Head of Bureau, Bureau for International Cooperation and European Integration, Ministry of Interior, Republic of Serbia
  • Elly Anita (Presentation), Trafficking in Persons Report hero of the year 2009, Migrant CARE, Indonesia 

Moderator: Robin Oakley, former CNN European Political Editor

 

Thursday, 26 November 2009

10:00 - 11:00 IOM Governance
11:00 - 13:00

International Dialogue on Migration (continued)

Highlights of Global and Regional Migration Dialogues

High-level plenary presentations and discussion of selected recent and forthcoming migration dialogues

Panellists:

  • Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD): George J. Kaklikis (Presentation | Bio), Permanent Representative of Greece to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland (GFMD 2009) and Alejandro Poiré (Bio), Under-Secretary for Population, Migration and Religious Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, Mexico (GFMD 2010)
  • Global Meeting of Chairs and Secretariats of Regional Consultative Processes on Migration: Sihasak Phuangketkeow (Bio), Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva
  • Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA): Malusi Knowledge Nkanyezi Gigaba (Bio), Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, South Africa
  • Presidency of the European Union (EU): Minna Ljunggren (Presentation | Bio), State Secretary, Migration and Asylum Policy, Ministry of Justice, Sweden
15:00 - 18:00 IOM Governance
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