IIMSAM Appeals to Global Community for Honoring Rights of Migrants While Marking International Migrants Day

Doha, Qatar, December 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- On the occasion of International Migrants Day which is marked every year on December 18, Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “There is no denying of the fact that migrants across the globe make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of the countries in which they live and work. Given that, equal consideration must be given to their safety and well-being”. He further added “Migrants have to be helped in a rapid, safe and well-coordinated manner”.

Marking IMD DR. Homoud underscored the large and growing contribution to the global economy made by the world's more than 100 million migrants, immigrants and their families: "Migrant workers provide valuable services with their labor and furnish an often invisible subsidy to the national economies that receive them. They work in factories, produce food, provide domestic service, staff hospitals and contribute to a wide range of basic needs, often for low wages and with little recognition of the value of their contribution." He further said "despite the hardships of migrant life and work, the treatment of migrant workers is often woefully inconsistent with what they deserve as workers and human beings.” He further added that "migrants are all too often relegated to the dirty, difficult and dangerous jobs that go begging in wealthier economies and where discrimination and ill treatment are endemic."

Dr. Homoud urged for an immigration policy built on the principles of dignity, justice, and equality that uphold the civil and human rights of all people, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, immigration or citizenship status. He also appealed to the global community to ratify the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which establishes a comprehensive framework to uphold the rights of migrants. “Let us determine to administer migration better, and intensify our efforts to protect the human rights of migrants and let us pledge to stand up for the human rights of all people, including those who migrate. By taking a stand against discrimination and abuse, we can reduce human suffering and foster social cohesion to the benefit of everyone”.

While calling the world to support IIMSAM and the cause undertaken by it under guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona Director General of the IIMSAM Dr. Homoud urged that it is well known that due to global warming, rates of poverty thus malnutrition and hunger are increasing in alarming proportion and it is a forcing factor for migration and vulnerability to conflict in affected areas. Speaking further on the theme he contended that hunger and malnutrition related issues should be dealt with well-built and planned intent, “if we are able to bring to an end to migration due to food scarcity even in some conflicted zones of the world, I bet, we could achieve the target of peace in targeted areas since from the ages, man is known for fighting for his basic needs and food being on the top of that list.”

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