Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers The Role of National Human Rights Institutions 3.3. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Established in 1985, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an organization of eight Member States158 dedicated to economic, technological, social and cultural cooperation and emphasizing collective self reliance. As the SAARC Charter sets out, the organization aims “to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realise their full potentials”.159 There is currently no regional instrument specific to migrant workers in South Asia. However, SAARC approved two instruments in 2002: the SAARC Convention on Combating and Prevention of Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution; and the SAARC Convention for the Promotion of Welfare of Children. There is also an initiative to establish a SAARC Task Force on Labour Migration by civil society groups. KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 5 • Regional human rights mechanisms have been established in Africa, the Americas, the Arab States, Europe and South-East Asia. • Promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers at the regional level can involve “soft law” or legally binding instruments. • Regional human rights courts have been established in Africa, the Americas and Europe, which can receive and rule on individual complaints. A number of judgments have addressed the rights of migrant workers and members of their families. FURTHER READING Human Rights in the Administration of Justice: A Manual on Human Rights for Judges, Prosecutors and Lawyers; Professional Training Series No. 9; OHCHR, in cooperation with the International Bar Association; 2003; see Chapter 3: “The Major Regional Human Rights Instruments and the Mechanisms for their Implementation” Migration and Human Rights: The United Nations Convention on Migrant Worker Rights; Ryszard Cholewinski, Paul de Guchteneire and Antoine Pecoud (ed), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization / Cambridge University Press; 2009 Migration without Borders: Essays on the Free Movement of People; Paul de Guchteneire and Antoine Pecoud (ed), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization / Berghahn Books; 2007 “Regional Cooperation on Labour Rights and Migrant Workers’ Rights: South America Compared”; Sonja Schröder, Maria Cristina Macovei and Phillipe de Lombaerde, article prepared for Revista Educación Superior y Sociedad; August 2010 158 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Member States include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 159 1985; article 1(b). 62 | Chapter 5: Regional mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers