A Summary Report on the Human Trafficking Elements of the Findings and Recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants
April 2003

Introduction
Report to Commission on Human Rights
Report of Mission to Mexico/US Border
Report of Mission to the Philippines
['Printable document']

Introduction
Franciscans International fully supports the mandate and the work carried out by the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Ms. Gabriela Rodriguez Pizarro. Established in 1999 by the UN Commission on Human Rights, mandate of the Special Rapporteur is to:

• Request and receive information from all relevant sources, including migrants themselves, on violations of the human rights of migrants and their families;
  
• Formulate appropriate recommendations to prevent and remedy violations of the human rights of migrants, wherever they may occur;
  
• Promote the effective application of relevant international norms and standards on the issue;
  
• Recommend actions and measures applicable at the national, regional and international levels to eliminate violations of the human rights of migrants; and,
  
• Take into account a gender perspective when requesting and analysing information, as well as to give special attention to the occurrence of multiple discrimination and violence against migrant women.
  

In her report to the 59^th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur again found that the global human rights situation for migrants is worrying. With widespread reports of inhumane detention, illegal trafficking, inadequate immigration policies and corrupt immigration officers, the need for national-level initiatives to combat its effects is increasingly evident.

In 2002, the Special Rapporteur made official missions to Mexico, the border region between the Mexico and the United States and to The Philippines. Her findings, summarized in the final section of this report, highlight again the importance of national-level strategies to protect the rights of migrants and the need for international attention in key areas.

Franciscans International will continue to monitor, report and intervene on the human rights dimension of migration, as per the request and input of Franciscan brothers and sisters around the world. We continue to believe, mindful of the importance of international coordination, that national and regional-level initiatives are the most effective way to protect the human rights of migrant workers and their families.

More information on FI’s Migration Program