International Migrants Day has observed on the 18th of December to recognize that migrants are a potent force for economic growth and dynamism while drawing attention to the injustices and challenges they face.
The estimated number of international migrants has significantly increased in the last few decades. The World Migration Report 2022 postulates that there were around 280 million international migrants in 2020, which equates to 3.6 percent of the global population. At the same time, more than 59 million people were internally displaced by the end of 2021.
People cross borders in a safe and orderly fashion; however, there are multiple reasons, conflicts and climate changes that force people to migrate for their survival and security. As Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “unregulated migration along increasingly perilous routes—the cruel realm of traffickers—continues to extract a terrible cost.” (UN News)
That unregulated migration has cost at least 51 thousand migrants’ lives worldwide since 2014.
“They must be respected without discrimination—and irrespective of whether their movement is forced, voluntary, or formally authorized,” he added in the statement.
Why is this day celebrated as “International Migrants Day”?
On December 18th, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families. Then on December 4th, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) acknowledged and considered the increasing influx of migrants across the globe. Henceforth, proclaimed December 18th as International Migrants Day.
In addition, six years later, in September 2006, the UNGA held a high-level dialogue on international migration and development in which 132 Member States participated. A few observations are reaffirmed: first, international migration is a growing phenomenon that could help positively impact countries; second, respecting the fundamental rights and freedom of all migrants is essential to reap the benefits of international migration.
Lastly, they recognized the necessity of strengthening international cooperation on international migration bilaterally, internationally, and regionally. Therefore, to foster that cooperative approach, there have been several meetings.
Fundamental Rights
The General Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, highlighted the need to ensure and protect the fundamental rights of the 169 million migrants worldwide who cannot exercise their fundamental rights.
“The international community must do better to ensure… (that they) are able to realize their basic human and labor rights,” he said.
Further, he adds, “This leaves them invisible, vulnerable, and undervalued for their contribution to society.” Discrimination exacerbates these conditions when it intersects with other grounds, such as race, ethnicity, or religion.
In addition, he flagged that undocumented migrants are at high risk of discrimination and abuse. “Many migrant domestic, agricultural, and other workers are isolated and out of reach of those who can protect them.”
“Injustices suffered by migrant workers are injustices to us all, “ ILO chief reiterated.