With Radio 1812, December 18 provides a platform for celebrating International Migrants Day. This unique and innovative international radio event connects migrant communities worldwide and brings together radios from around the globe in a one-day event that celebrates migrants’ achievements and highlights their concerns.
December 18 will continue to gradually expand its role as initiator and coordinator by adding new features such as the production of its own audio; expanding the event into a year-round initiative; provide opportunities for young journalists to gain experience. December 18 will also develop the Radio 1812 site into a key space for sharing audio material and will establish a prize for the best audio documentary on migration issues.
In 2009, 175 radio stations from 48 countries took part in the fourth edition of the Radio 1812 event. You can listen to a short compilation by clicking here.
Interested in participating? Write to radio1812@december18.net and we will get in touch with you.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR), created by the Human Rights Council (HRC) is the most recent mechanism in the UN human rights system. The first UPR cycle began in 2008 and will be completed in 2011. By the end of 2009, half the UN member states will have been reviewed. December 18 is working on a research paper documenting and analyzing the scope and treatment of the issue of migrants and human rights in the UPR.
December 18 is an active member of the International Steering Committee of the Campaign for the Ratification of the Migrant Workers Convention.
In Europe, none of the EU Member States has ratified the Convention. Building on our work with the European Platform for Migrant Workers Rights (EPMWR), we are preparing the launch of a new European campaign with the aim to get ratification before the next European Parliament elections.
In Belgium, we are working together with the “Commission belge francophone et germanophone pour l'UNESCO” to put the need for ratification back on the political agenda.
December 18 sits on the Executive Committee of the International Platform on the Migrant Workers Convention (IPMWC), a civil-society network that encourages the effective implementation of the Convention.
December 18 will be a delegate at the Civil Society Days of the third Global Forum on Migration and Development in Athens (2-3 November).
A team of journalists from December 18 will attend the GFMD and the related parallel events and prepare reports that will be made available through the Radio 1812 website.
Introduction
Today, migration is a worldwide and intra- and inter-regional phenomenon accompanied by an increase in the violation of the human rights of the people concerned. Throughout the migration cycle, migrant workers and their families are victims of a wide range of human rights abuses. Some examples are: inadequate conditions of work, sexual abuse of women migrant workers, expulsion and arbitrary detention of irregular migrants, including unaccompanied children, difficulties with accessing social and economic rights, illegal recruitment practices, ill-treatment, inadequate housing, poor access to health care provisions and education, and the criminalisation of undocumented migrants.
Although the UN system provides a framework and tools for the protection of the rights of migrants and their families, many migrants today do not benefit from it because core human rights treaties are neither universally ratified nor implemented. Furthermore, too often effective protection is not available because the actors that potentially have the best capabilities to offer protection do not live up to this promise. Rights on paper do not automatically lead to rights in practice. For this to happen rights-holders have to be aware of the fact that they too should be treated with respect and dignity and that their governments can be held accountable for the commitments they have made under international law.
Past Achievements
Now, more than ever, International Migrants Day offers an opportunity to strengthen international solidarity and to make migrants’ voices heard across the world. IMD aims to put the issues that are of key interest to migrants and their communities (those they live in and those they leave behind) on the agenda, highlight the challenges they encounter and celebrate their achievements.
In many countries, diversity in the media and representation/participation of migrants in the mainstream national media (and the public sphere) remains problematic. Too often, political parties and the popular media portray migrant workers and their families in a negative way. The language and images used focus on the threat to the security and cultural identity of the “host” societies. There is fragmented information regarding the situations faced by migrants as well as their contributions to sending and receiving countries alike. Citizens and local and state officials need to understand that integration can only be successful and strengthen social cohesion if migrants are granted full access to their human rights.
Migrants’ voices should be part and parcel of the mainstream media, both in messages and as messengers.
Past Achievements
PUBLICATIONS