On international Migrants Day: The International Alliance Peace and Development urges states not to adopt discriminatory policies against migrants

On December 18 of each year, the world celebrates the International Day of Migrants, the day adopted by the United Nations in 2000, to highlight the increasing number of international migrants around the world. On that day in 1990, the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. International statistics indicate that the number of international migrants increased from 175 million in 2000 to 272 million in 2019

The International Alliance for Peace and Development asserts that all migrants are entitled to equal protection of all their human rights

Since the earliest times, humanity has been on the move. Some people move in search of work or economic opportunities, to join family, or to study. Others move to escape conflict, persecution, terrorism, or human rights violations. Still, others move in response to the adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters, or other environmental factors.

According to the Global Migration report, issued by the International Organization for Migration, revealed that the number of international migrants worldwide reached in 2019 reached 272 million, or 3.5% of the world’s population. And 52% of the migrants are male, 48% are female. and 74% of all international migrants were of working age (20-64 years).

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes for the first time the contribution of migration to sustainable development. 11 out of the 17 Sustainable Goals (SDGs) contain targets and indicators relevant to migration or mobility. The Agenda’s core principle is to “leave no one behind,” not even migrants.

The International Alliance condemns the discriminatory policies and acts of violence committed against migrants in a number of European countries, especially with the raising of the phenomenon of the far-right in Europe. So IAPD calls on governments to adopt non-discriminatory legislation and policies against migrants and urges all states to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.