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UN human rights chief calls for protection of migrants’ rights'
Tuesday, 16 March 2010 10:03 | 
She reminds Italian authorities that asylum is a right protected under international law
The United Nations human rights commissioner has raised concerns that Italy’s authorities are treating migrants and Roma as security problems rather than looking at ways to include them in society.
In her first official visit to Italy, Ms. Navanethem Pillay said that the wealth placing the country among the richest countries in the world was also created by those who left the country to look for better opportunities elsewhere.
“Many foreign workers are now seeking in Italy the same opportunities that Italians once found abroad. They offer the same crucial contributions that enriched countries benefiting from Italian migration,” Ms. Pillay said.
Italy, just as many other European countries, has “an undeniable need for the labour of migrant workers,” she said.
She observed that “all too often for many migrants to or within Europe, the process of migration is not the positive and empowering experience that it should be. Rather, it is characterized by human rights violations, discrimination and exploitation. Indeed, migrants are particularly vulnerable to such abuses.”
Ms. Pillay called for the protection of migrants’ rights saying that it “is one of the most urgent human rights challenges of today.”
She appealed to the authorities to maintain a human rights approach to migration at the front and centre of their action. “This is done by ensuring that the rights of migrants are upheld at all stages of the migration process, by shielding them from violations, and by bringing the perpetrators of abuse to account,” Ms. Pillay said.
She also urged the Italian authorities to absorb pertinent human rights standards into domestic law. “I urge the Italian authorities to accede to and ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which offers the most comprehensive framework for the protection of the human rights of migrants.
“The Convention states that migrant workers and members of their families have the right to liberty and security of person. They are entitled to effective protection by the State against violence, physical injury, threats and intimidation, whether by public officials or by private individuals, groups or institutions. Moreover, the Convention stipulates that they should not be subjected individually or collectively to arbitrary arrest or detention.”
Ms. Pillay also talked about the danger of keeping migration within the strict confines of “security agendas”. “This reductive approach may defeat its own stated purpose by fuelling misconceptions and prejudices, fear and resentment rather than bolstering safety and smooth coexistence in diverse communities,” she said.
She urged politicians and other public officials to “refrain from pronouncements that disparage migrants and stoke suspicions.”
The High Commissioner said she continues to be concerned by provisions in the Italian “Security Package” which make the irregular status of a migrant an aggravating circumstance for an ordinary crime. “I wish to be absolutely clear that it is the responsibility of public authorities to ensure that migrants are not stigmatized, vilified and attacked.”
Ms. Pillay called for integration of migrants into the communities where they live and work while respecting their diversity. “It is of crucial importance to put in place vehicles and mechanisms that stimulate the informed participation and contribution of migrants in matters that affect them.
“Education, labour rights, housing, and healthcare are particularly important to the well being and successful integration of migrants. Yet migrants, particularly those in an irregular position, face many obstacles in securing these literally vital entitlements. Obstructing access to services, institutions and goods that give effect to economic, social and cultural rights represents a violation of migrants’ human rights.”
Ms. Pillay warned against the criminalization of the provision of some services, including housing, saying that it may force migrants in irregular situations into even more precarious circumstances, exposing them to further abuse and exploitation. “These migrants’ vulnerability is compounded by the fact that they cannot secure administrative or judicial remedies because of their irregular status,” she said.
She criticized Italy’s policy of intercepting would be immigrants in the international waters and sending them away to Libya. “Human beings adrift at sea are not toxic cargo and should not be treated as such,” she said.
“The rescue of persons in distress at sea is not only an obligation under international law, but also a humanitarian necessity. There must be an unequivocal recognition that no persons, including asylum seekers and migrants, inhabit a human rights limbo while travelling or upon reaching a destination other than their country of origin. I remind competent authorities that asylum is a right protected under international law.”
Ms. Pillay condemned detention of migrants saying that under international human rights law, “the deprivation of liberty should in all cases be a measure of last resort.”
She said there should be a legal basis for detention of migrants and procedural safeguards put in place to regulate it. “Migrants must be adequately informed about their rights and have the opportunity to effectively challenge the legality of their detention,” Ms. Pillay.
Talking about conditions of migrants in detention centres, the High Commissioner said she was concerned “about reports of overcrowding and inadequate access to basic rights, such as health care services and education. This situation should be remedied without delay.”
She also expressed concern about reports of inadequate safeguards to protect children in border control procedures.
I THINK THERE'S KNOW NEED FOR THEM TO PRENTEND TO THE WOLRD AS IF THEY ARE DOING SOME THING TO HELP OR BE CARING,IN STEAD THEY SHOULD STOP BLOCKING US WITH THERE PERMITY TO STAY,THEY SHOULD ALLOW US TO GO WITH OUR CHILDREN THE WAY ITALIAN THEMSELF ARE RUNING AWAY FROM THERE CONUTRY TO OTHER CONUTRIES AS WELL TO LOOK FOR BETTER MONEY ETC.
IF NOT,I WANT THOSE WHO ARE WITH US THOSE THAT CONCERN SHOULD PLEASE GO ROUND ITALIAN AND SEE WHAT MOST OF ARE FACING,THEY CREATED SOME JOB AND THOSE JOB WAS EMPLOYED BY THERE PEOPLE AND OTHER EUROPEA BROTHER THAT HAVE THESAME COLOUR WITH THEM,WHY THE BLACKS ARE OUT THERE NOTHING FOR THEM,SOME ARE FOSTRATED.
THIS THINGS STARTED HAPPENIG WHEN BOSSI TELL ITALIANS NOT TO OFFERE US A JOB,EVEN SOME COMPANY...