Intergovernmental Conference on Migration: GANHRI called on states to implement inclusive, regular, participatory process for the implementation of the GCM

It was the first UN exercise for Amina Bouayach, the newly appointed President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH). Ms Bouayach made a statement on behalf of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) on 10 December 2018 in Marrakech at the Intergovernmental Conference for the adoption of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Secure Migration (GCM).

In its statement, the GANHRI, which now has more than 112 national human rights institutions (NHRIs), welcomed the carried work to adopt the Compact and invited all stakeholders to work for its implementation.  It also urged all States, which haven’t yet done so, to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Furthermore, the GANHRI reaffirmed the need that States promote and protect the rights of migrants regardless of their migratory status. It also called on all stakeholders to monitor the rights of migrants as part of the monitoring processes of UN human rights convention treaty bodies.

Since the first review will take place in 2020 at the regional level, the GANHRI highlighted the important role of existing regional human rights protection systems and recommended to include them in the review. It also advocated the inclusion of NHRIs that act individually or through their regional networks.

In this regard, the GANHRI called upon all States to urgently establish an inclusive, regular, transparent and participatory process at the national level for the implementation of the GCM, which should also set objectives, concrete measures and actions for the implementation.

Moreover, the GANHRI called upon States to establish NHRIs where they do not yet exist, to support and strengthen existing ones in accordance with the Paris Principles, and to support their protection and promotion mandate related to cross-border activities. Finally, the GANHRI ensured that NHRIs:

-  Advocate for the implementation and the follow-up of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those that affect the rights of migrants;

-  Assist States in the development of National Action Plans;

-  Act for the harmonization of legislations with international and regional standards relating human rights;

-  Support States in their efforts to control private entities such as recruitment agencies, remittance offices and employers concerning migrants 'rights, and support the training of their staff on migrants' rights;

-  Strengthen cross-border cooperation of NHRIs through focal points on migration.