WCAR on Immigration and Refugees
The WCAR Declaration and Programme of Action (PoA) devote much attention to racism relating to immigration and refugees. The statements and recommendations fall under three main categories:
- measures which
acknowledge and tackle the manifestations of racism and xenophobia towards
immigrants and refugees;
- measures which
examine legislation and policies relating to immigrants and refugees
and calls to revise those policies and practices which are inconsistent
with international human rights instruments;
- greater regional and international cooperation on migration and refugee issues.
Acknowledging and addressing racism and xenophobia directed towards immigrants and refugees
The Declaration acknowledges and condemns the existence of racism towards migrants and refugees (Declaration paras 48 & 53) and urges States to create conditions conducive to greater social harmony and encourage respect for cultural diversity (Declaration para 49; PoA 24-30, 58, 66) through measures such as education campaigns (PoA 27) and policies which promote fair treatment of migrants and facilitate their integration into social, cultural, political and economic life (PoA 30(c)).
The POA also highlights the key role that politicians, political parties and the media can play in combating racism and xenophobia against migrants (PoA 115, 144).
Reviewing policies relating to migrants and refugees which are inconsistent with international human rights instruments and implementing policies and legislation which promote the integration of migrants into society and eliminate discrimination against them
- Immigration laws: States are urged to review and revise where necessary immigration laws, policies and practices that are incompatible with States’ obligations under international human rights instruments (PoA 30(b)). Specific attention is given to family reunion rights (PoA 28; Declaration para 49) and the rights of migrant women (PoA 30(h)).
- Employment: review policies and programs that protect migrant workers promote full equality in the workplace and eliminate discrimination and barriers to participation of migrants in the workplace (PoA 29, 32, 81, 105).
- Provision of social services: States are urged to provide adequate social services to migrants and refugees in the areas of health, education, housing (PoA 30(g), 33).
- Policing and justice: States should work to eliminate racial profiling by police (PoA 72), address bias in policing and law enforcement and provide assistance to victims of racially motivated violence (PoA 74).
States are encouraged to participate in regional and international dialogues on the problems of migration: not just in respect to border control, but also in relation to protection of human rights, discrimination and international burden sharing (PoA 182-186).
Prepared by the Race Discrimination Unit, HREOC.
