Migrants Rights International (MRI) and Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) will present a side event on the occasion of the 20th session of the Human Rights Council,
Detention of Migrant Workers:
A Global Human Rights Crisis
19 June 2012 (Tuesday), 16:00h – 18:00h
Room XXVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

The side event will be held in conjunction with the release of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants on the topic of detention of migrants.

As states have become increasingly concerned with securing their borders, migrant workers have become the targets of draconian border controls and detention regimes. Detained while crossing borders, in transit, in workplace and neighborhood raids, and on the streets, migrant communities are criminalized and stigmatized and their human rights are compromised.

Holding undocumented migrants in detention on the grounds that they lack the necessary documents to enter, reside, and/or work in a country raises important questions as to whether this is a just and proportionate response to what is usually a minor administrative offense.

Representatives of civil society from Europe, the US, and Asia will speak about the detention of migrants in their regions and call urgent attention to the need for change in prevailing detention regimes.

Special Guest: François Crépeau, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants

Panelists:

Claire Rodier, Migreurop, Europe

Colin Rajah, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, U.S.

Yukiko Omagari, Solidarity Network with Migrants, Japan

Moderator: William Gois, Migrant Forum in Asia

Download the flyer here:

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