Part I International laws and mechanisms Chapter 5: Regional mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers KEY QUESTIONS • What regional human rights mechanisms have been established? • How do regional human rights mechanisms promote and protect the rights of migrant workers? 1. INTRODUCTION In the 1970s, the UN endorsed the creation of regional human rights mechanisms to encourage cooperation among States in different geographical areas in order to more effectively promote and protect human rights. Regional mechanisms are seen as an important complement to existing international and national human rights systems. Regional human rights mechanisms and instruments are particularly significant for migrant workers. Globalization has created certain conditions that limit the capacities of States to respond to economic and social issues. The issues facing migrant workers are transnational and cross-cutting in nature and, as such, migrant workers can be vulnerable to a range of abuses and discrimination in sending, transit, and receiving countries. Regional groupings can consist of countries that belong to one, two or all three of these categories. Economic, political and geographic conditions account for a country’s position in the migration process. Some countries may have a complex relationship with migrant workers due to their levels of economic development and their proximity to border countries where there are high outflows of migration. Therefore, regional cooperation and policy coordination among States can be vital for developing sustainable, long-term solutions that address the human rights issues experienced by migrant workers. This chapter examines the different regional human rights mechanisms that have been established and their relevance to rights of migrant workers. 2. REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS Regional human rights mechanisms and their corresponding instruments have gained importance as critical platforms in seeking redress for violations against migrant workers, developing common standards to protect migrant workers and securing cooperation and commitments from States to better promote and protect the rights of migrant workers. Chapter 5: Regional mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers | 53