The practical protection of the human rights of migrants as an
essential component of migration governance in the 21st century is
the focus of IOM's International Dialogue on Migration that takes
place next week at the International Conference Centre Geneva
(CICG).

The two-day gathering starting 25 March which brings together
IOM member states, observers, international and non-governmental
organizations, civil society and the private sector, will look at
ways to overcome the obstacles preventing migrants fully enjoying
their human rights. 

The Dialogue will examine existing legal frameworks addressing
migrants' human rights and their implementation before looking at
specific issues that demand attention including migrants' right to
health and health services, fighting discrimination and xenophobia,
and human rights in the context of labour mobility.

Ghanaian migrant in Ukraine and president of the Africa Centre
in Kiev, Charles Asante-Yeboa, will also address the Dialogue on
his personal experiences of xenophobia and on integration
challenges. Ukraine is home to the Diversity Initiative, a
partnership between many international and national organizations
including IOM and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
aimed at promoting understanding among different cultures and
countering xenophobic violence.

Participants will examine how partnerships such as these and at
other levels can effectively address and redress human rights
issues as a shared responsibility.

A second part of the Dialogue on the human rights of migrants in
July will examine human trafficking and exploitation of
migrants.

For the agenda and background documents, please go to

"http://www.iom.int/idmhumanrights" target="" title=
"">http://www.iom.int/idmhumanrights

For further information, please contact:

Philippe Boncour

IOM Geneva

Tel: + 41 22 717 9264 / + 41 79 635 2347