Be Mindful of Migrants’ Rights

On this day, 18 December 2013, the world observes the International Migrants’ Day in accordance with the proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 18 December 2000. In observing this day, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN member states as well as intergovernmental agencies have an obligation to disseminate information on human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants. Furthermore, they are invited to share experiences and design actions that guarantee the protection of foreign migrants. On this front, commendable efforts have been undertaken by the stakeholders concerned to ensure that migrants enjoy their human rights regardless of their status in the countries of destination.

Sadly, migrants continue to face myriad challenges in their countries of destination as well as their countries of origin. International migration is a consequence of various tribulations in the countries of origin, such as, poverty, civil conflicts, persecution emanating from discrimination, economic hardships and insecurity. Upon arrival in their countries of destination, foreign migrants often have to contend with additional problems. They become victims of human rights violations in the form of racism, xenophobia, slavery, forced labour and denial of access to fundamental social and economic rights, such as, right to health or right to education. Foreign migrants may also be subjected to degrading working conditions. 

The face of desolation: Challenges await these migrants as they move in search of a better life (Photo courtesy of www.doctorswithoutborders.org)

In October 2013, Tanzania was the scene for nasty incidences of xenophobia after several Malawian migrants were targeted by certain locals for allegedly making life difficult for them. South Africa was also in the news in May 2008 after a wave of attacks against foreign migrants, which was one of the most devastating. A survey in 2010 by the Southern Africa Migration Programme (SAMP) titled, Soft Targets: Xenophobia, Public Violence and Changing Attitudes to Migrants in South Africa, revealed that there were positive developments concerning South Africans’ attitudes towards foreign migrants. Despite the optimism, SAMP sounded an alarm to the fact that 80 per cent of the natives either want migrants to be prohibited from entering the country or support legislation to restrict the migrants' entry.

Contrary to negative tags that have been put on foreign migrants, their movement into other countries bodes well for their destinations and countries of origin. According to the UN, the potential gains of respecting migrants’ rights are larger than the benefits that can be accrued from free international trade, especially for developing nations. Instead of competing with the natives for jobs, migrants actually complement the skills of the latter by undertaking tasks that would cost more for the employers. This allows domestic workers to perform other tasks that are more productive and better paying.

Foreign migrants spur economic growth in the countries of destination by contributing entrepreneurial skills acquired from countries of origin, enlarging the labour force or pool of consumers in the countries of destination. For example, in 2006, the Bank of England admitted that increased migration into the United Kingdom was responsible for the steady prices of oil, which in turn prevented an upsurge in inflation. The growth of the buy-to-let market in the UK also increased due to the increased demand for housing facilities by new arrivals.

Not only do foreign migrants contribute to economic growth, they also foster the creation of multicultural societies through cultural diversity. People in the countries of destination encounter cultures of the migrants, which creates cultural awareness and acceptance. This fosters understanding and respect among societies, people and cultures. 

Cry of a migrant: We should hear migrants' plea for the world to respect their rights (Photo courtesy of www.atlanticblackstar.com)

Such benefits can only materialize when foreign migrants are allowed to enjoy their rights.  Several conventions exist to ensure that this becomes a reality. The International Convention on the Protection of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) adopted by UNGA in 1990 states that all migrant workers are entitled to enjoy their human rights; their legal status notwithstanding. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) also adopted two conventions namely: ILO 97 Migration for Employment Convention and ILO 143 Migrant Workers Convention.  Both conventions make provisions concerning the working life of migrants, such as, access to information, medical attention, family reunification, recruitment and maintenance of their own culture.

The number of foreign migrants worldwide has steadily increased from 175 million in 2000 to 232 million in 2013 where one in every ten is aged 15 years old. Migration continues to affect every corner of the world where many countries have simultaneously become countries of destination, origin and transit. In the words of Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Governments are obliged to ensure that xenophobic violence, racism and related intolerance against migrants are non-existent in their societies." People across the globe should assist their governments in this regard by being mindful of the rights of the foreign migrants in their midst.

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Malawian Migrants Suffer Wrath of Tanzanians

Hundreds of Malawian migrants have fled to their country from Tanzania where they have become susceptible to xenophobic attacks from the natives. The attacks seem to have been sparked by the Tanzanian government’s crackdown on undocumented migrants.

Those who have returned home explain that Malawians have become targets of attacks by Tanzanians who have taken advantage of the government’s crackdown on undocumented migrants. “The locals criticise us for making life difficult for them because of our economic superiority. Since we do not bargain when buying things, prices of commodities have increased and become expensive for them,” one of the returnees said.

According to the Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), other foreigners have not been spared either but Malawians seem to have been affected the most. This is because they are perceived to be doing well than most locals. “Malawians are usually hard working and we invest the little that we get,” one of those affected told IRIN.

The border town of Songwe has been a common entry point for those returning home from Malawi’s northern neighbour. They then connect to the northern town of Mzuzu where many are stranded because they do not have enough money to complete their journey. 

Malawian migrants from Tanzania arrive in Northern Malawi after fleeing attacks by some Tanzanians (Photo Credit: www.nyasatimes.com)

In July, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete had ordered all illegal migrants to leave the country by 11 August 2013 or risk forceful deportation. Upon the expiry of the deadline, 15,000 Burundians and 7,000 Rwandese illegal migrants were expelled, an event that prompted relief agencies to warn of an impending humanitarian crisis. The operation, christened ‘Kimbunga,’ has also seen the arrest of over 1,000 Malawians.

Those who were apprehended were given a reprieve by Tanzanian authorities who gave them 6 months to apply for residency permits. However, the upsurge in xenophobic attacks has discouraged most of these nationals from pursuing this option.

The Malawian government has adopted a cautionary approach to the matter with Information and Civic Education Minister Moses Kunkuyu stating that the government was yet to receive official information about the situation of its nationals in Tanzania.

Malawian Vice-President Khumbo Kachali is the highest profile government official to speak on the issue. During a visit to the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia where some of the returnees are housed, he offered the sympathies of the Malawian government but did not make concrete promises of assistance. “The government acknowledges that you have suffered in Tanzania. The Head of State Joyce Banda sends her apologies and we say sorry,” he said.

Xenophobia has a long history in Africa, which dates back to the 1970s when Nigerians and Burkinabe nationals were brutally expelled from Ghana under the Aliens Compliance Order. The events were replicated in Nigeria in the 1980s when hundreds of Ghanaians in the country lost their lives in xenophobic attacks.

In Cote d’Ivoire, during the political tussle between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Outtara, Malians living in the country were victims of xenophobia. In 2001, African immigrants residing in Libya had to contend with volatile treatment from locals who branded them as foreigners.

Most notably, South Africa has been in the spotlight for increased incidents of xenophobic attacks, which dates as far as 1994. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), significant steps have not been made towards addressing this problem in a country, which was hosting close to 3 million foreigners in 2012. 

Black racism: Such hostility against fellow Africans have earned xenophobia the tag of being apartheid's 'sibling' (Photo Credit: www.deesserudigan.blogspot.com)

An article by the Socialist Party of Great Britain in 2001 reveals that xenophobia is tied to the economic lives of the masses. The locals usually blame the foreigners—who are usually poor—for their economic woes instead of blaming the powers that be. “The rich people in the society create divisions among the poor by laying blame on foreigners to create nationalistic feelings and divert attention from mismanagement,” the article reads in part. 

The masses (often illiterate, sick and hungry) are easily duped by these tactics and hence direct their wrath towards poor foreigners.

However, IOM describes xenophobia as a two-way phenomenon in which foreigners can also propagate it. It cites the case of South Africa where it is commonplace for foreigners to describe the natives as ‘lazy,’ ‘diseased’ or ‘uneducated’—sentiments that are sometimes expressed in the presence of South Africans.  Respecting each others’ rights and dignity will be important in co-existing peacefully.

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