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.

Migrant Workers, the Hands that Feed us.

Date: 29/05/2010 - 15:18

Over the years working on and around migrant workers issues, I have often felt that people in the food world remain more concerned with the providence of a rare organic mushroom than the harsh conditions farm laborers (documented and undocumented alike) face every day of their working life to cultivate that mushroom.

Development on the Move: Measuring and Optimising Migration's Economic and Social Impacts

Date: 22/05/2010 - 13:57
The final report of a four-year research project, involving field work in seven countries, shows that people who migrate from developing countries greatly increase their own income and bring many benefits to their families and communities back home.

Indonesia/Malaysia: End Wage Exploitation of Domestic Workers

Date: 17/05/2010 - 10:35

(New York) - Indonesian and Malaysian ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur today should ensure that pending revisions to a labor pact include a minimum wage and stronger oversight of recruitment fees, Human Rights Watch said. The two governments have indicated their agreement to revise a 2006 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allow domestic workers to keep their passports and have a weekly day of rest, but negotiations have stalled on a minimum wage.

Arizona: UN experts warn against “a disturbing legal pattern hostile to ethnic minorities and immigrants”

Date: 13/05/2010 - 14:00

GENEVA (10 May 2010) – A group of UN human rights experts* expressed on Tuesday serious concern over laws recently enacted by the state of Arizona, United States of America, that affect minorities, indigenous people and immigrants and potentially subject them to discriminatory treatment.

Kuwait: Government Should Accept Recommendations for Concrete Improvements at UN Review

Date: 13/05/2010 - 13:10

(Geneva) May 12, 2010 – Kuwait should accept recommendations on protecting the rights of migrant domestic workers and stateless persons made today by United Nations member countries, Human Rights Watch said. The UN Human Rights Council examined Kuwait’s human rights record as part of the council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of each nation.

Organizing from the Maquiladoras to the University: Dialogue and reflections among women migrant and maquiladora workers in Mexico

Date: 24/05/2010 - 08:09

In February researchers from the International Migration Research Centre participated in "the First Forum on International Migration and Transnational Studies" hosted by the "Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla" (BUAP) in the capital of the state of Puebla in Mexico. This forum was part of a joint initiative with the centre through a Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) "North American Research Linkages" grant.

USA: New Arizona Law Engulfs Immigration Debate

Date: 18/05/2010 - 09:54

MPI's Muzaffar Chishti and Claire Bergeron take an in-depth look at Arizona's SB 1070, from the range of responses to what it means for federal immigration reform. Also in this edition: a bill that would revoke the US citizenship of those found helping terrorists, more delays for the "virtual fence," increased approvals for Mexican nationals' asylum applications, and more.

Read more by clicking here

Cyprus: Social Welfare Services in the Role of Suppressor.

Date: 17/05/2010 - 10:30

MIGRANT SUPPORT group KISA yesterday lashed out at Social Welfare Services’ staff over their alleged role in the arrest of people who approach them for help.

In one instance, a case worker is using a woman’s newborn baby to blackmail her into leaving the country, KISA said, adding that the woman has been prevented from accessing the child unless she agrees to leave.

UN Secretary-General calls for renewed commitment to support migrant families.

Date: 16/05/2010 - 19:32

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the International Day of Families, observed 15 May:

This year’s commemoration of the International Day of Families focuses on the impact of migration on families around the world.

Rising social and economic disparities create both pressures and incentives for people to leave their homes in search of better opportunities.  Many migrate out of necessity due to poverty, unemployment, political or armed conflicts or violations of human rights.

Synthesis Report on Unaccompanied Minors in the European Union

Date: 10/05/2010 - 15:57

This EMN Synthesis Report summarises the main findings of National Reports produced by twenty-two of the EMN National Contact Points (EMN NCPs) from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

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.