Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on
the human rights of migrants
Introduction
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of
Migrants was created in 1999 by the Commission on Human Rights,
pursuant to resolution
1999/44 . The mandate was extended for a further three years
by the Commission on Human Rights in 2005, at its 62nd session (Res.
2005/47).
The Commission requested the Special Rapporteur to “examine ways
and means to overcome the obstacles existing to the full and
effective protection of the human rights of migrants, including
obstacles and difficulties for the return of migrants who are
undocumented or in an irregular situation”.
The main functions of the Special Rapporteur are:
(a) To request and receive information from all relevant sources,
including migrants themselves, on violations of the human rights of
migrants and their families;
(b) To formulate appropriate recommendations to prevent and
remedy violations of the human rights of migrants, wherever they may
occur;
(c) To promote the effective application of relevant
international norms and standards on the issue;
(d) To recommend actions and measures applicable at the national,
regional and international levels to eliminate violations of the
human rights of migrants;
(e) To take into account a gender perspective when requesting and
analyzing information, as well as to give special attention to the
occurrence of multiple discrimination and violence against migrant
women;
In the discharge of these functions:
(a) The Special Rapporteur acts on information submitted to her
regarding alleged violations of the human rights of migrants by
sending urgent appeals and communications to concerned Governments
to clarify and/or bring to their attention these cases. See Individual
Complaints.
(b) The Special Rapporteur conducts country visits (also called
fact-finding missions) upon the invitation of the Government, in
order to examine the state of protection of the human rights of
migrants in the given country. The Special Rapporteur submits a
report of the visit to the Commission on Human Rights, presenting
her findings, conclusions and recommendations. See Country
Visits.
(c) The Special Rapporteur participates in conferences, seminars
and panels on issues relating to the human rights of migrants.
(d) Annually, the Special Rapporteur, reports to the Commission
on Human Rights about the global state of protection of migrants’
human rights, her main concerns and the good practices she has
observed. In her report the Special Rapporteur informs the
Commission of all the communications she has sent and the replies
received from Governments. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur
formulates specific recommendations with a view to enhancing the
protection of the human rights of migrants. Upon request of the
Commission on Human Rights the Special Rapporteur may also present
reports to the General Assembly. See Annual
Reports.
Special Rapporteurs : Mr. J.A. Bustamante
(Mexico), since August 2005 (Res. 2005/47) Ms. Gabriela Rodríguez Pizarro
(Costa Rica), since 1999
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