International Migrant Rights & Global Justice

Migration is a global phenomenon, and NNIRR emphasizes the need for international efforts and cooperation to effectively respond to the broader challenges around immigration and address "root causes."

Since the mid 1990's, NNIRR has actively worked to build relationships and strengthen networks between migrant communities and migrants rights movements around the world. In 1994, NNIRR participated as a founding member of the global network now known as Migrants Rights International.

NNIRR also monitors and disseminates information around international policy developments, and engages in direct international policy advocacy.

Current initiatives include: 

• Ratification of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families: NNIRR has long supported the universal ratification of this convention, also known as the Migrant Workers Convention (MWC). We are now asking for all of members, friends and allies to join us in committing to its ratification by the US government. We will be initiating steps to seek official consideration, while prioritizing public awareness of the importance of the Convention in affirming the human rights of all migrants, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Join with us by signing our Call for Support of the MWC.

• Trade - Managed Migration - Repression: Reporting and advocacy against Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and "Managed Migration" programs related to the growing criminalization and exploitation of migrant labor through International Trade, Managed Migration and Repressive Immigration Enforcement Policies. Read the NNIRR Report: Excluded & Exploited. Download the accompanying Excluded & Exploited Presentation.

• International Advocacy: Monitoring of, and advocacy through inter-governmental bodies such as the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other UN and inter-governmental agencies.  NNIRR has also co-organized the People's Global Action on Migration, Development & Human Rights (PGA) as a grassroots people's response to governmental summits on migration.
• Climate Change and Migration: Analysis of the impacts of climate change, and advocacy for real policy solutions, from a migrants rights perspective. Read the joint-paper: Environmental Degradation, Climate Change & Migrants Rights
• International Networking: Building partnerships and alliances with other regions around the world, for collaborative international advocacy and action, especially through the Migrants Rights International (MRI) network. New paper: Alliance of Alliances - Building Civil Society Convergences Around Global Movements for Migrant Rights

• International Migrants Day: NNIRR has promoted and coordinated advocacy for International Migrants Day, December 18, since its inception in 2000. Read our call to celebrate International Migrants Day in 2011 here. Read our 2011 International Migrants Day press release here.  See our subsection here for background information, downloadable material and links to other resources.