Revisiting migrants’ contributions with a human rights-based approach: a discussion on facilitating and hindering factors : Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Gehad Madi

Abstract

"Summary In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Gehad Madi, examines migrants’ sociocultural, civic-political and economic contributions. By examining the factors facilitating and hindering their contributions with a human rights-based approach, he aims to offer a balanced, evidence-based perspective. Migrants are rights holders, and their rights should be protected regardless of the contributions that they make to society. In the present report, at a time when the political discourse around migration has taken a negative turn, when migration-related disinformation and xenophobia are on the rise and when many have forgotten or deny the benefits of migration, the Special Rapporteur offers a reminder of the wealth of opportunities that migration presents to societies willing to embrace diversity and inclusion. The Special Rapporteur was encouraged by numerous submissions from States, United Nations entities, civil society actors and others on practices designed to support migrants’ contributions and an evidence-based narrative on migration. He examines the factors hindering recognition of migrants’ contributions and what can be done to enable positive migration-related narratives to flourish. Lastly, the Special Rapporteur offers conclusions and recommendations for States and other actors on upholding the human rights of migrants, supporting migrants’ contributions and improving the narrative so that it better reflects the inherent value of migrants and their contributions."