Author Archives: MFA

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Case review of human rights violations in Qatar

Pen-and-NotebookThe Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants conducted an 8-day country visit (Nov. 3-10, 2013) to the state of Qatar upon the government’s invitation.  As part of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, Mr. François Crépeau was invited to examine the state of protection for migrant workers in Qatar.  Upon the end of the country visit, the Special Rapporteur submits a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council to highlight the situation of migrants, as well as provide conclusions and recommendations for the Qatari government.  To assist in the preparation of the Special Rapporteur’s country visit, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) prepared a qualitative analysis, including a case review on human rights violations of migrant workers in Qatar.

Case submissions by the MFA network were used in the analysis, with particular attention to the two largest groups of expat workers, Indians and Nepalis.  The analysis provided insight on the most common themes of human rights violations; including non-payment of wages, sponsor’s restrictive control of migrant’s mobility, detention of migrants, extremely hazardous working conditions resulting in serious injury or death, and unfair compensation.  Additionally, recommendations for legal redress of human rights violations were presented and comprised of the ratification and/or implementation of national laws, as well as key UN and ILO international instruments.

For recent press releases and statements related to the Special Rapporteur’s country visit to Qatar, click here.


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[Publication] UNWomen publication on “Review of Laws, Policies and Regulations Governing Labour Migration in Asian and Arab States”

UNWomen published a 2013 position paper, “Review of Laws, Policies and Regulations Governing Labour Migration in Asian and Arab States: A Gender and Rights Based Perspective”.  This publication is a reference manual of the country-specific legal protections for women migrant workers in origin (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines) and destination countries (Bahrain, Hong Kong SAR, UAE, Singapore and Thailand).  This reference manual is unique in that it examines the existing laws from a gender and rights based perspective, looking at legal measures for women migrant workers in all phases of the migration cycle.

Download UNWomen’s publication here


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2013 Peoples’ Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights

Category : Activities

pga-2013 bannerThe 2013 People’s Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights (PGA) is an independent civil society and grassroots people’s process held in conjunction with the 2013 UN High Level Dialogue on Migration & Development (HLD).

This year, the PGA will be held on 30 September (Monday) – 4 October (Friday), at the Church Center of the UN (CCUN), in New York, USA. Activities will include a labor & community march and rally across the Brooklyn Bridge, major plenaries by international grassroots leaders and notable dignitaries, self-organized workshops, government lobbying visits, art displays, cultural events and numerous other activities.

The primary theme for the 2013 PGA is “People, Power & Communities: Building Bridges for Migrant, Labour & Human Rights.” The PGA program will highlight the ongoing struggle around the world to end institutionalized criminalization against migration, a critique of circular migration and temporary worker policies, a focus on people-centered community development programs, and building our transnational movements across borders.

For more information on PGA 2013, click here

For more information on HLD 2013, click here

Some lawyers from the MFA network will be part of the MFA delegation to the PGA and HLD events.