Respect for human rights fundamental to migration, says IOM

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 31 (PNA) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Thursday asserted that respect for human rights is a key element needed for migration and development.

IOM director general William Lacy Swing, in his statement to the Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD), said the protection of migrant workers’ human rights is fundamental to making migration “a safe, dignified and enriching experience for migrants themselves.”

To achieve this, Swing said, all forms of discrimination, intolerance and racism must be firmly rejected.

”Giving special consideration to the needs of particularly vulnerable migrants —including considerations based on gender, age, health— must always remain a priority,” the IOM director general further stated.

United Nations (UN) secretary general Ban Ki-moon earlier cited the inclusion of “human right” as one of the topics in this year’s Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).

”I am also pleased that protection of human rights features prominently in this forum (GFMD),” Ban said in his opening address to the GFMD delegation at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall Wednesday.

”Only by safeguarding the rights of migrants, and ensuring that migrants are treated with the dignity and respect due any human being, can we create the conditions which migration can contribute to development. Exploitation is the anti-thesis development. In this times of financial hardships, we all need to be especially vigilant,” the UN secretary general further stated.