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Call for Papers "The Human Rights of Migrants" International Journal on Multicultural Societies Special Thematic Issue __________________________________________________ Migrants are entitled to fundamental human rights, just as any other persons, without discrimination. Some human rights are of specific relevance to migrants, as a particularly vulnerable group, such as the right to protection from exploitation, employment rights, protection from discrimination and the right to equality before the law. While many rights relevant to migrants are economic and social rights, they are often closely linked to the exercise of certain civil and political rights such as rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining (trade union rights) and to freedom of expression. This issue of the journal intends to examine the human rights of migrants from a legal perspective, but it will also include an analysis of historical developments as well as consider the sociological, economic and political factors which affect the migrants human rights situation. It is with the above aims in mind that this issue proposes to address various precisely targeted, complementary topics, with a view to clarifying how the human rights of migrants are currently protected in law and practice. A first aspect to be emphasised is which migrants human rights (including economic, social and cultural rights, which are too often overlooked) are guaranteed in international, regional and national law. While the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICRMW), and its strengths and shortcomings, is of core relevance in this respect, analysis of the human rights framework should not be limited to this instrument. A second aspect is how these rights are implemented in practice in the country of destination. Again, of particular theoretical but also practical interest would be an analysis of the factors which militate in favour of the actual implementation of the rights contained in the ICRMW, as opposed to just paying lip-service to these rights once the treaty is ratified. Which countries ratify, which countries implement the rights, and what are the factors promoting such implementation? A third theme to be covered in this issue is the link between respect for human rights in the country of origin and/or during transit and migration flows in order to elucidate if and how respect for human rights and the creation of (economic) opportunities within a human rights framework can promote sustainable migration. A fourth subject calling for careful analysis is how security has become a key operative concept in contemporary international discourse. There is no doubt that security and borders have been closely linked during the last few years. How has this connection influenced the protection of migrants rights? To what extent has the development of a broad notion of security had discriminatory consequences? This is also linked to the noticeable criminalisation of migrants in many parts of the world. The reinforcement of security-related migration policies has resulted in the perception of migrants especially those in an irregular situation as a category outside legality or at least potentially representing a danger to the state or society. An obvious subject of investigation and analysis therefore is whether respect for the human rights of migrants has deteriorated due to the connection made between immigration and criminality/security. Finally, integration is a topical issue that arises often in public debate. However, what is rarely mentioned is how the concept of integration might damage or promote migrants human rights. Is the concept of integration being used as a kind of forced assimilation that violates some fundamental rights? Is integration really spurring discrimination against migrants rather than their inclusion in society? To what extent may states legislate to oblige or promote integration or anti-segregation of migrants in destination countries? To what extent can the notion of cultural diversity, as promoted in the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity by UNESCO, be balanced with and even promote integration and respect for migrants rights? While the above-mentioned topics are not exhaustive, they should give an idea of the articles to be submitted to this Call for Papers. Legal analyses, both at the international, regional and national level, and in comparative perspective, are as welcome as are case studies building on sociological, political science and economic literatures. It would be particularly valuable to receive contributions from as many regions of the world as possible with a view to obtaining interesting impressions of similarities and differences, both of the current state of respect for migrants human rights in various regions of the world and of the factors influencing this respect (or lack of respect). What is important is a focus on migrants human rights, their scope and development, the factors that influence their respect and effective implementation as well as the limitations. Analysis of particular migrant groups such as temporary migrant workers or migrant women or minors and their specific rights would also be welcome. Paper submissions should be sent directly to the Guest-editors, Ryszard Cholewinski ([email protected]) and Kristina Touzenis ([email protected]) by 30 September 2008. Journal Website: http://www.unesco.org/shs/ijms __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
