IIMSAM Middle East Office Observed International Migrants Day

Online, December 17, 2010 (Newswire.com) - On the occasion of International Migrants Day which is marked every year on December 18, Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said " indeed the adaptation by the United Nations of the International Migrants' Day is the beginning of a new era, offering a sign of relief for everyone around the world who is concerned about the safe guarding of migrants".

The Goodwill Ambassador reminded that migrant workers comprise one of the most vulnerable groups exposed to racial-, gender-, and class-based discrimination and violence. With the global economic crisis came the destabilization of the economy, social cohesion and increased human rights violations. Irregular and undocumented migrant workers receive the greatest negative impact. Aside from low and unpaid salaries, inhuman working and living conditions, lack of protective policies in receiving countries especially in terms of access to redress or legal assistance, arbitrary detention and torture, the lack of basic necessities such as health care, and not being able to exercise freedom of association and freedom of speech, they are now in constant threat of unemployment, underemployment and deployment back to their home countries. Many have refused to go back, preferring to take odd jobs, cut downs on wage and working hours and risk debt bondage and getting caught. "The threat of continued global recession brings forth higher rates of unemployment, leaving thousands of migrant workers without a job and without financial security", said Dr. Homoud.

Speaking on the occasion to mark this day Dr. Homoud said that most people migrate in the look out of better prospects, hoping to add to their own potential with infrastructures and resources in the destination nation just to benefit themselves and their family members, who often follow or accompany them. Local societies or regional organizations as a whole are also the beneficiaries both in native places and at destinations nations. The multicultural background of these individuals and the policies that regulate their movement make human mobility one of the most perplexed issues that the world is facing today. "Effective planning and actions are needed to regulate these issues", said Dr. Homoud. He further went on to say "we call for an immigration policy built on the principles of dignity, justice, and equality that uphold the civil and human rights of all people, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, immigration or citizenship status. We call on the global community, including the stakeholders, to ratify the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which establishes a comprehensive framework to uphold the rights of migrants".

Dr. Homoud urged states and stakeholders to support IIMSAM and the cause undertaken by it under guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona, its Secretary General. He said "it is well known that due to global warming, rates of poverty, malnutrition and hunger are increasing in alarming proportion and it is a forcing factor for migration and vulnerability to conflict in affected areas. Speaking further he contended that hunger and malnutrition related issues should be dealt with well-built and planned intent, "if we are able to bring to an end to adverse impacts of migration due to food scarcity even in some conflicted zones of the world, I bet, we could achieve the target of peace in those areas since from the ages, man is known for fighting for his basic needs and food being on the top of that list".