Migration, human rights and governance - Handbook for parliamentarians No. 24, 2015

The Inter-Parliamentary Union, the International Labour Office and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in this Handbook offer responses to fundamental questions on migration, such as those concerned with its root causes and possible responses in terms of good policies and practices, as well as the challenges, both for migrants and for countries, in relation to national well-being, development and social cohesion. The handbook proposes a balanced approach to make effective laws and policies that address the human rights of migrants and the governance of migration.

Parliamentarians have a critical role to play to ensure a meaningful, balanced and informed response to migration. They are responsible for adopting adequate laws on migration to give effect to international obligations under the international treaty framework, in particular with respect to human rights norms and labour standards. Parliamentarians and governments can and should promote fair and effective policies in order to maximize the benefits of migration while addressing the real challenges that host, transit and origin countries and migrants face.

The main chapters concern international migration today; international law, migration and human rights; the elimination of discrimination and equality of opportunity and treatment; key human rights principles regarding the protection of migrants; and fundamental human rights-based governance of migration.