18-12-2020. Dakar, Senegal. This year, amidst COVID19, we have all witnessed the importance of working together to overcome challenges. Migrants have played a critical role in our societies, on the front lines of the fight against the virus, caring for the sick, working to maintain essential services. However, many migrants have also found themselves at higher risk of poverty, stuck at borders and without access to basic goods.

Violations of migrants’ human rights are often closely linked to deep-rooted attitudes of prejudice and xenophobia. Harmful and dehumanizing approaches on migration can directly affect migrants’ lives, their access to services, their access to justice. The COVID19 crisis has exacerbated these risks, and has shown a disproportionate impact upon migrants, especially in the context of public health and recovery response.

As part of the 30th commemoration of the International Migrants Day celebrated today, the UNODC-OHCHR joint initiative “PROMIS” joins the global OHCHR campaign #StandUp4Migrants aiming to reshape the narrative on migration. Instead of fear, it is time to show solidarity, to welcome people on the move into our communities, and to reimagine our collective future. No matter why or how people move, we are all driven by the eternal human quest for belonging and a better life, to find dignified work opportunities, to give our children a good education, or live in a safe home. Migration should be a choice not a necessity.

Today, PROMIS also restates its commitment to strengthen the capacities of West African states to develop a human rights-based response to smuggling of migrants and to effectively respond to human rights violations related to irregular migration. Special attention is given to those women, men, boys and girls, who are in vulnerable situations and at risk of human rights violations, regardless of their status or circumstances.

In that regard, PROMIS also reiterates its recognition and its support of the work of human rights defenders who continued their activities to protect and promote migrants’ rights amidst COVID19. In recent weeks, through an online interview series called “Portrait of Champions,” the PROMIS project featured seven human rights defenders who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to defending the human rights of migrants and victims of human trafficking in times of COVID-19, highlighting the work of key partners in West African countries.

Join us to share more stories of resilience that show how we can overcome challenges if we work together. Join us to stand up for migrants and their rights.

#StandUp4Migrants #Protection4Migrants #International MigrantsDay

More information (links)
• #StandUp4Migrants– a campaign and online toolbox on how to change the way we speak about migrants and migration. Please join us to reshape the narrative on migrants. Share your stories and the vision of the world you want to see with us on social media by using the hashtag #StandUp4Migrants.
• UNODC Discover the PROMIS* champions working to protect & promote the human rights of migrants during COVID 19
• OHCHR portraits de champions : découvrez les champions de promis qui travaillent à protéger et à promouvoir les droits de l’homme des migrants pendant la covid-19