PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA GENEVA

25th Session of the Human Rights Council

India’s Statement at the High Level Panel discussion on Human Rights Mainstreaming

[4 March 2014]

Mr. Chair,

1.We thank the panellists for their contributions and hope that today’s deliberations would be a step forward towards what the Secretary General outlined during the High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development in 2013, i.e. to  “make migration work” .

2. Human mobility is one of the defining features of today’s world. Yet, we shy away from clearly recognizing the development aspects of international migration. The main reason for this is the reluctance or unwillingness of the developed world to accept and act on the fact that they have been and are beneficiaries of migration from the South. This needs to change and we all need to work collaboratively for international policies and frameworks to make international migration a ‘win-win’ situation.

3. We have to move to an understanding that migrants are not a burden; they are much more often an asset and a force multiplier. Migrants need to be considered as agents of development. Migration has helped countries of destination meet their shortfalls in labour market skilled manpower supply. It has contributed and continues to contribute to the augmentation of capacities and their intellectual and institutional resource base.

Mr. Chair,

4. Protection of migrants is an important facet in the creation of enabling environment for international migration. In this context, we have to recognize that protection of migrants can be best ensured by a holistic approach. The actions in sending countries need to match the actions in terms of legislation, enforcement measures, information sharing and awareness measures in the receiving states. There is a need to promote matching of skills and jobs as well as labour supply and demand within and between countries; and facilitate circular mobility through portability of social security entitlements, recognition of educational and professional qualifications and adoption of enabling legal frameworks aimed at enlargement of freedom of opportunities of individuals.In respecting and protecting migrants, in giving them opportunities to flower, in integrating them into the social and institutional structures of the host country, we will also be promoting multicultural understanding.

5. At the same time, remittances should not be seen as a substitute to ODA or other forms of development financing, as has been articulated in contemporary discourses on migration. Remittances are above all, private funds and international commitments on ODA and development financing cannot be diluted on this account.

Mr. Chair,

6. There is a need to combat anti-migrant sentiment manifested in discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance against migrants and their families by creating greater public awareness about the situations migrants experience and the contributions they make to countries of origin and destination. Such efforts could be promoted through a partnership of the private sector, labour unions, the media, educational institutions and migrants themselves, based on the latest available evidence and highlighting the rights and responsibilities of both migrants and non-migrants. It is vital that a proportionate balance is achieved between protection of human rights of the migrants and the need for governments to address legitimate security concerns.

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