Imagine a migrant’s rights protected: Migrants rights
• Priority should be given to economic and social policies which promote development in poorer countries so people do not feel forced to migrate,
• Restrictive migration policies are not the answer. More opportunities in countries of origin would make staying at home more enticing,
• Better regulation of the labour market to help avoid exploitation. Caritas urges governments and firms to provide decent work conditions.
At the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking Conference in Vienna in February, Caritas called on world leaders to honour the commitments they made to tackle poverty and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Unfulfilled pledges lead to the despair and injustice which provide fertile ground for trafficking and slavery.
At the COATNET (Christian Organisations Against Trafficking) meeting in October in Paris, Caritas highlighted the need for commitment to empowering women in the family and fighting the trafficking of children.
At the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila in November, Caritas advocated for economic and social policies which foster development and decrease forced migration.
At the Responding to Trafficking in Persons in the Americas Conference in Washington, organised by US Caritas member organisations, Caritas shared initiatives and experiences among over 50 participants from North America, Latin America and guests from Europe, Middle East and Asia.
At a migration forum in Dakar in December, Caritas called on donor governments not to play migration control against development aid and urged the governments of countries of origin to adopt just and coherent policies, which provide opportunities and hope for a better life for young people.