Member states urged to sign up to migrant convention

Member states have been urged to ratify an international convention on the protection of migrants.

So far, not a single member state has ratified the ICRMW convention, which aims to afford protection to migrant workers and their families.

Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, UK Socialist MEP Claude Moraes appealed to the EU to press member states to ratify the treaty "without delay".

He said the issue has been highlighted by the recent migratory problems in north Africa, which has seen thousands of migrants flock to Italy and other parts of Europe to escape unrest in the Arab world.

Moraes said, "This unrest has imposed great strain on these countries and surely now is the time to ratify this treaty."

His comments came at the presentation of a new study on the rights of migrant workers in Europe.

The issue of migration is likely to come under the spotlight at a two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels, starting on Thursday.

The report, by United Nations Human Rights, says the convention has been signed by 44 countries worldwide and by four in Europe, though none of them are in the EU.

This shows, it says, that there is a "gap in the protection afforded to migrant workers at national and EU levels."

The study says that obstacles often cited by member states "are not insurmountable and that ratification is merely a question of political will at the national level."

It said the right to "family reunification" is "not as absolute as often believed."

The increasing role of the EU in the area of migration, it says, can be an "asset, rather than an obstacle."

It says, "There is a need for a debate about ratification of the convention at the EU level in order to address the political reluctance among European countries to ratify the treaty."

Moraes said, "The timing of this study is very important because EU leaders are due to discuss migration at this week's summit.

"I am asking member states to face up to the reasons why, so far, not a single one of them have signed this convention.

"The reasons go to the very heart of why there is a fear of even talking about migration, let alone legislating on it.

"At a time of great austerity cuts in member states, we must not retreat from the reality of what migrant workers contribute to our economies."

His comments were endorsed by UK Greens MEP Jean Lambert, who said, "Governments need to be reminded of what their priorities are.

"Parliament has a vital role in pushing member states to recognise the importance of signing up to international conventions, in particular this convention."

Jan Jarab, regional representative for Europe of the Office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, said, "If the EU wants to be more credible its member states needs to sign treaties like this."

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