Goodbye from December 18 and Radio1812

Date: 22/04/2013 - 09:08

Dear colleagues and friends,

Two years ago we announced that because of a difficult funding situation, we were closing down our office in Brussels and putting some activities of our organization on hold.

Despite these difficult decisions we did manage to pull off two further successful editions of the annual Radio1812 event and even introduced some new elements such as the Odysseia audio magazine. This would not have been possible without the continued - although very limited - financial support and the contributions from the team of volunteers.

12 by 12 Campaign: Six Countries Grant Rights to Domestic Workers in 2012

Date: 12/12/2012 - 11:36

December 12 is a symbolic date for the 12 by 12 campaign, which is the reason why today trade unions and activists are mobilising thousands of workers in 50 countries to put pressure on decision makers and encourage governments to enact the hardly needed laws that would give domestic workers a decent work and a decent life.

Human rights violations in the field of migration: a collective responsibility

Date: 10/12/2012 - 10:44

Today, the European Union receives the Nobel Peace Prize for its "contribution for over six decades to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe". The progress made has been outstanding, but more needs to be done – in particular with respect to the protection of human rights in the field of migration policy. In this policy area, migrants' human rights are being violated in some EU member states, with appropriate measures to put an end to such violations not always being taken.

International migrants tribunal declares 37 states guilty of violating migrants’ rights

Date: 05/12/2012 - 14:26

An international tribunal, the first on the theme of migrants, has declared 37 governments guilty of using migration to advance neoliberal globalization policies and of violations of the economic, social, cultural and political rights of migrants by sending and receiving states.

A victory against modern day slavery

Date: 04/12/2012 - 10:50

The ILO Domestic Workers Convention was unthinkable just a few years ago. It represents the culmination of years of effort by domestic workers, advocates, and officials to shine a spotlight on a long-ignored but significant sector of the workforce, says Nisha Varia.

If someone had told me 45 years ago that we would be here today, I would not have believed it. We do not have to be slaves anymore. — Myrtle Witbooi, chair of the International Domestic Workers Network and former domestic worker from South Africa, Geneva, June 10, 2011

Progress made on immigrant integration but more efforts needed on education and jobs, finds OECD

Date: 04/12/2012 - 09:28

OECD countries have made much progress over the past decade in helping immigrants integrate in society. But much remains to be done, notably in improving how well immigrant children do at school and in finding work, and in immigrant women’s access to employment, according to a new OECD report. 

Migrant rights activists denounce Canada’s Federal Government for stripping away Employment Insurance benefit for migrant worker

Date: 12/12/2012 - 09:43

Migrant worker advocates are angered and shocked to learn that the Federal Government is once again attacking one of Canada’s most vulnerable populations.

The invisible world of domestic work: Report documents abuses

Date: 08/12/2012 - 09:41

Anna worked seven days a week as a nanny for the family of a Fortune 500 company executive. She lived with them in their 5th Avenue apartment in Midtown Manhattan. Her day began at 6 when the children woke up and didn't end until 10 at night when she put them to bed and cleaned the kitchen.

She cooked meals, did laundry and tended to the children's needs. She slept on the floor in between their beds. She did not have a single day off in 15 months.

Irregular migrants stuck in Greece are also the European Union’s responsibility, says UN expert

Date: 05/12/2012 - 14:21

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, stressed today that the plight of the growing number of irregular migrants trapped in Greece on their way to other European Union destinations requires a EU-wide approach focused on human rights. He also urged the Greek Government to step up its efforts to ensure that the rights of all migrants within its territory are fully respected.

For Europe-Bound Migrants, Rights Violations Await

Date: 04/12/2012 - 10:30

IPS U.N. correspondent Rebecca Hanser interviews MATT CARR, journalist and author of "Fortress Europe: Dispatches from a Gated Community".

Along the borders of modern Europe, migrants have much to contend with, ranging from contradictory and confusing national immigration policies to horrific war zones, which these borders areas are slowly becoming.

Voices from the 2012 WSFM in the Philippines

Date: 08/12/2012 - 07:43

Reporting from the WSFM in Manila, our local Radio1812 reporters Ven Blo and George Arceno spoke with participants about the key features of what turned out to be the biggest gathering yet of the World Social Forum on Migration. As key organizer William Gois puts it: "We want a world in which people can move freely and with dignity."

Click here to listen to the program

December 18 is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Financial support for operational costs and projects are occasionally provided by a range of funders.

December 18 is the International Resource Centre on the Human Rights of Migrants. Interested in becoming a volunteer, click here.