International Convention on the Protection of the Rights
of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
Adopted by General Assembly resolution 45/158 of 18 December 1990
Preamble
The States Parties to the present Convention,
Taking into account the principles embodied in the basic instruments of the United Nations
concerning human rights, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Taking into account also the principles and standards set forth in the relevant instruments
elaborated within the framework of the International Labour Organisation, especially the
Convention concerning Migration for Employment (No. 97), the Convention concerning
Migrations in Abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and
Treatment of Migrant Workers (No.143), the Recommendation concerning Migration for
Employment (No. 86), the Recommendation concerning Migrant Workers (No.151), the
Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour (No. 29) and the Convention
concerning Abolition of Forced Labour (No. 105), Reaffirming the importance of the
principles contained in the Convention against Discrimination in Education of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
Recalling the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, the Declaration of the Fourth United Nations Congress on the
Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, the Code of Conduct for Law
Enforcement Officials, and the Slavery Conventions,
Recalling that one of the objectives of the International Labour Organisation, as stated in its
Constitution, is the protection of the interests of workers when employed in countries other
than their own, and bearing in mind the expertise and experience of that organization in
matters related to migrant workers and members of their families,
Recognizing the importance of the work done in connection with migrant workers and
members of their families in various organs of the United Nations, in particular in the
Commission on Human Rights and the Commission for Social Development, and in the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Health Organization, as well as in other
international organizations,
Recognizing also the progress made by certain States on a regional or bilateral basis towards
the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families, as well as the
importance and usefulness of bilateral and multilateral agreements in this field,
Realizing the importance and extent of the migration phenomenon, which involves millions
of people and affects a large number of States in the international community,
Aware of the impact of the flows of migrant workers on States and people concerned, and
desiring to establish norms which may contribute to the harmonization of the attitudes of
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