Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers The Role of National Human Rights Institutions and migrant workers, including their advocacy, research, monitoring, investigation, reporting and public education functions. Given the complex and transnational nature of the issues involved, NHRIs are also encouraged to develop “strategic partnerships” with a broad range of national stakeholders, including civil society, as well as cross-country cooperation with NHRIs in “neighbouring countries and sending, transit and receiving states”.3 A key recommendation of the 8th International Conference, as well as other regional meetings, is that NHRIs develop a comprehensive strategy to promote ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. NHRIs are also encouraged to promote ratification of other key international human rights treaties and ILO conventions, as well as relevant regional human rights standards. BACKGROUND Since 2009, NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region have participated in an annual capacity building programme to better promote and protect the rights of migrant workers. The programme – a partnership between the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP), Migrant Forum Asia and the APF – brings together representatives from NHRIs, NGOs and trade unions in the region. A key goal is to foster partnerships and practical collaboration to advance the rights of migrant workers at the national and regional level. This manual has been designed by the APF as a key tool to support ongoing capacity building programmes involving representatives from APF member institutions, including those conducted in partnership with the DTP. At its 15th Annual Meeting in 2010, the APF agreed to establish “focal points” on the rights of migrant workers in interested member institutions. Through the coordination of the APF secretariat, these “focal points” contributed information and expertise on good practices of NHRIs in protecting and promoting the rights of migrant workers. Their valuable contributions have directly informed the development of this manual. OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT The manual has been developed to provide NHRIs with concise and practical information to support them in their important work to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers. The manual is divided into two parts. The first section, primarily developed by the DTP, outlines the key international laws, standards and mechanisms to advance the rights of migrant workers and members of their families. The second section, prepared by the APF, outlines many of the concrete steps that NHRIs can undertake to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, whether they operate in countries of origin, transit or destination. Examples of good practices from different APF member institutions have been included to encourage discussion about the different ways in which NHRIs can use their mandate to promote changes in law, policy and practice and to redress human rights violations experienced by migrant workers. Each chapter includes key questions, the legal basis for the involvement of NHRIs, discussion of the major issues and options for further reading. 3 Santa Cruz Declaration; 8th International Conference of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights; Santa Cruz, Republic of Bolivia; 24–26 October 2006; para. 18. Introduction for users | vii