The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) is a national organisation working to promote the rights of migrant workers and their families living in situations of vulnerability throughout Ireland. The MRCI works collectively with migrant workers to become involved in decision-making processes that affect their lives. We seek to influence policy, build public awareness on migration issues, undertake research and document the experiences of migrant workers. The MRCI supports locally based initiatives and networks at a local, national, European and global level.
UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration & Development
MRCI welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the debate of the UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. This represents an opportunity to have meaningful discussion on the global governance of migration and its intersection with development. MRCI has attended the UN High Level Dialogue New York in 2006. We have also attended the Global Forum on Migration and Development from 2007 to 2011. Participation in Mauritius was not possible in 2012 due to the lack of financial assistance. MRCI would like to restate our concerns raised in these discussions.
1. Protection and rights for migrant workers and their families, in particular giving priority to the ratification of the UN Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families.
2. Promote an approach that seeks to achieve the highest possible standards in responding to global migration at an international, regional and national level
3. Maintain a balance between the role of migration in the promotion of development, and the need to protect migrants involved in this process.
4. Articulate the intersection between social, economic, political and cultural dimensions of integration and participation of migrant workers and the need for states to recognise the necessary conditions for social cohesion and harmony.
5. Address restrictions to legal channels of migration which force migrants to employ precarious channels to migrate and contribute to irregular migration and the growing phenomena of smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings.
6. Emphasise the importance of gender equality and anti-racism strategies in promoting the inclusion of migrant workers and their families especially migrant women.
