IMRF Updates
The International Migration Review Forum and the multi-stakeholder hearing will be held from 16-20 May 2022. The registration process is now closed, however the IMRF will be broadcast live on UN Web TV with interpretation in all official languages. Thus, if you did not or were unable to register, you will still be able to follow the events through webcast.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, practical arrangements for participation will be decided closer to the date and communicated on the webpage of the President of the General Assembly. For more information about the IMRF, explore the conference website here. Should you have questions, please email unmignet@iom.int.
Click here to access the timeline for stakeholder participation in the IMRF.
Progress Declaration - Rev 1
Recently, the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental process to agree on the Progress Declaration circulated a revised draft of the Progress Declaration to Permanent Missions in New York.
The co-facilitators are continuing to lead consultations on the Progress Declaration in New York. Click on the following link to access the updated roadmap.
In addition to the three townhalls, which were held on 7 March, 25 March, and 6 April, the co-facilitators will hold a fourth townhall briefing with stakeholders 20 April. Click here to view the first townhall virtual meeting and here to read the corresponding summary. Click on the following link to read the summary of the second virtual townhall.
John K. Bingham, Geneva Representative of the NGO Committee on Migration, made a 4-minute intervention on regular pathways and regularization at the Second Townhall Briefing with Stakeholders and UN entities. The Town Hall was convened on-line March 25th by IMRF co-facilitators Bangladesh and Luxembourg for feedback on their zero draft of the Progress Declaration that UN Member States have begun to negotiate as the outcome of the first IMRF in May. View the NGO Committee statement by first clicking here, then scrolling down to the section entitled "Latest", clicking on "Second Town Hall Briefing" and going to 1.44.17.
Call for Side Events
The United Nations Network on Migration announced that the application for side events of the first IMRF is open. These side events will provide an opportunity to discuss good practices, challenges and recommendations to further the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Side events will take place in connection with the IMRF official days, on 17-20 May 2022. A total of 20 side events slots are available.
The deadline to submit an application is TODAY, 8 April 2022. More information on the application process is available here. Click here to submit a proposal to host a side event on the margins of the IMRF.
Save the Date: People's Forum
The People’s Migration Challenge (PMC) is convening to mobilize a parallel event to the IMRF to drive practical and much needed action to assess the GCM implementation. Following the reflection series and regional consultations under the auspices of PMC, the People’s Forum aims to provide space for civil society to engage in a grounded and meaningful discussion on migration policy.
Mark your calendars and join the PMC through a hybrid format in New York and online on 17-20 May 2022 from 9:00am - 1:00pm (EDT)!
Call for Input: Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants
Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 43/6, the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants is mandated “to examine ways and means to overcome the obstacles existing to the full and effective protection of the human rights of migrants, recognizing the particular vulnerability of women, children and those undocumented or in an irregular situation” (paragraph 1 (a), A/HRC/RES/43/6). In carrying out his mandate, the Special Rapporteur has decided to dedicate his forthcoming report to the 77th session of the General Assembly to the issue of the impact of climate change and the protection of the human rights of migrants.
The Special Rapporteur welcomes inputs from Member States, inter-governmental organizations, UN entities, civil society organizations, national human rights institutions, business representatives and other stakeholders, on any or all of the following issues, including case studies and specific examples of good practices and current challenges:
Download the questionnaire (PDF): English | Français | Español
All submissions must be received by 14 April 2022. Click here for additional details.
Multiple Statements Shine a Spotlight on Ukraine
Over the past weeks, as the humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Ukraine a number of organizations have released statements pertaining to the crisis and concomitant calls for action. The following statements pertain to those fleeing the violence and related concerns:
The NGO Committee on Migration (NGO CoM), and its Subcommittee on Xenophobia, Racism and Social Inclusion released a statement addressing the need to combat racism and xenophobia in the response to the current refugee crisis. Click here to read the statement. In addition, the NGO CoM Subcommittee on Children in Migration, issued an appeal in response to the crisis in Ukraine. It calls upon Member States to prepare for the safe and humane treatment of all refugees, especially young children. Read the NGO Committee on Migration's statement here.
Missing Children Europe released a set of joint recommendations to protect children at risk of going missing, violence, and exploitation due to the Russian war in Ukraine. Read the recommendations here.
The Africa-Europe Diaspora Development Platform (ADEPT) issued a statement expressing solidarity towards all the people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, and condemning the appalling treatment of Africans at the borders, reiterating that all people have the rights to cross international borders during conflict. Read ADEPT's statement here.
Alianza Americas issued a statement highlighting how the outpouring of solidarity for Ukraine's asylum seekers stands in stark contrast to past harsh and xenophobic responses by the U.S. and Europe to mass migration events, involving majority non-White asylum seekers. Read Alianza Americas' statement here.
In its statement, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and adherence to international law, respecting and protecting humanitarian access and space. They also urge governments to extend the same leadership and solidarity shown in response to Ukraine across all humanitarian crises globally. Read ICVA's statement here.
Migrant Women Forum (MWF) calls on states to #BreaktheBias and recognize the inhumane and xenophobic treatment towards migrants and refugees of color in Ukraine, and to urgently address the needs of vulnerable populations seeking refuge during this devastating crisis. Read MWF's statement here.
Endorse the Open Letter on Shrinking Space for Civil Society
On Tuesday 15 March 2022, the Civil Society Action Committee, alongside many of its member and partner organizations, submitted an open letter to the President of the General Assembly (PGA), to express its concerns on the shrinking space for civil society in the UN in general, and calling for meaningful participation in the upcoming International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).
Click here to read the open letter to the PGA.
The Civil Society Action Committee is now calling civil society organizations to endorse the letter: click here to have your organization's name included among the list of endorsers.
NGO Committee on Migration: Priorities and Practices for Solutions
The NGO Committee on Migration produced a four-page advocacy document, entitled Priorities and Practices for Solutions in the SDGs, the Global Compact for Migration, and the International Migration Review Forum in 2022 and beyond.
The document reflects the advocacy priorities of the NGO Committee on Migration and will guide our upcoming visits with representatives of Permanent Missions to the UN, in the lead up to the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).
It calls attention to the following thematic areas:
- Lessons of COVID-time: make permanent and replicate positive practices and partnerships
- Climate change
- Migrants in vulnerable situations, including mixed migration
- Children in migration
- Xenophobia, racism and fostering inclusion
This document provides concrete examples of solutions that have been developed by the worldwide membership of the NGO Committee on Migration: practitioners and advocates, networks and organizations with members on the front-line at grass-roots, national, regional, and international levels; partners with States, local authorities, and business. Many of these whom are migrants, refugees, diaspora, or their family members.
Click here to read the priorities document.
Renew your CoM Membership & Join a Subcommittee!
We are continuing the process of collecting annual membership dues and convening subcommittees.
The NGO Committee on Migration organizes many of its activities through member participation in the following four subcommittees:
- Climate-Induced Displacement
- Children in Migration
- Migrants in Vulnerable Situations / Mixed Migration
- Xenophobia, Racism & Social Inclusion
By formally joining a subcommittee, you will be able to receive a link to access the online subcommittee gatherings, which precede the general portion of each Member Meeting.
Click here to renew your CoM membership and here to join one of the four subcommittees listed above!
