Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers The Role of National Human Rights Institutions KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 3 • Even if a State has not ratified the Convention on Migrant Workers, it will be bound by one or more of the other core international human rights treaties it has ratified, which include obligations relevant to the rights of migrant workers. • The general comments developed by the UN treaty bodies provide States with guidance to interpret and apply particular provisions of the human rights treaties, many of which are relevant to the rights of migrant workers. • The activities of the UN special procedures – which include receiving and responding to communications, issuing urgent appeals, undertaking country visits and preparing regular reports – can provide practical assistance to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers. • The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants extends to all countries, irrespective of whether a State has ratified the Convention on Migrant Workers. • Through their participation in the UPR process, States can agree to implement recommendations that improve the living and working conditions of migrant workers and members of their families. FURTHER READING Migration and Human Rights: The United Nations Convention on Migrant Worker Rights; Ryszard Cholewinski, Paul de Guchteneire and Antoine Pecoud, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization / Cambridge University Press; 2009 Strengthening Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families with International Human Rights Treaties: A Do-it-yourself Kit; Mariette Grange, International Catholic Migration Commission; 2006 The UN Treaty Monitoring Bodies and Migrant Workers: a Samizdat (updated); December 18; 2007 Working with the United Nations Human Rights Programme: A Handbook for Civil Society; OHCHR; 2008 40 | Chapter 3: Other UN instruments and mechanisms relevant to the rights of migrant workers