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UN Secretary Generalâ€™s message on International Migrants Day

18 December 2007 12:33 (UTC +04:00)

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon gave message on December 18-International Migrants Day, UN representation in Azerbaijan told the APA.
The message says that today marks the eighth International Migrants Day, an occasion that grows more meaningful with each passing year.
â€œCurrently, there are more people living outside their countries of birth than ever before, an estimated 200 million in 2007.Behind this vast figure are individual stories â€“ of the skilled computer engineer, the farmer working illegally, the woman trafficked against her will, the refugee forced to flee home, and countless others.
Migrants are often driven by the aspiration for a better life. They seek a safer, more prosperous future for their children, and they are willing to work for it. Given the chance to make the most of their abilities, on an equal basis, the vast majority of migrants will be assets to society.
Many important safeguards are contained in the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, but to date it has been ratified by only 37 countries. I urge all Member States who have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so as soon as possible as a way to ensure the full and effective protection of the human rights of migrants,â€ he stated. /APA/