Migrant Rights at the World Social
Forum By Colin Rajah Mumbai, INDIA. Tuesday, January 20, 2004: This year’s World Social Forum (WSF IV) goes into its final day before closing tomorrow and making its way back to Brazil. Hardly any mention on the front pages of large dailies, nor on CNN’s daily world roundup. And no doubt, back home in the U.S., it would’ve received even less coverage. Yet, that is inversely proportionate to the powerful and inspiring grassroots movements that are strengthening themselves through the WSF process, even as this is being written. And none, more so, than the grassroots migrants’ movements from just about every corner of the globe. Telling Our Stories, Claiming Our Rights While support for travel to the Forum has been almost negligible for the migrant community, it has only been compounded with the need for state documentation to cross borders. Many migrants have been denied visas, travel documents, and some even turned away at the airport and at the border. Yet these obstacles have not hindered our resolve or our determination to push for our rights, especially within a global economic context. The Bangladeshi talked about being detained and “voluntarily” deported from Japan or else face criminal persecution. The South Koreans showed blown-up mug shots of migrants who have committed suicide out of desperation during that country’s crackdown on migrant workers. The Nepali domestic worker in Hong Kong described how she was abused by the family she worked for, and not provided any time off even when there was a death in her own family. And migrant communities from the U.S. have also been prominent:
The eyes of the migrants in Asia widen as they hear their U.S. counterparts share their stories, and then they nod as they relate it to themselves, and some shed a tear or two. But that only lasts a few moments, as we have to prepare and plan our next collective action, the march and rally. “We Are One!” -- Strengthening the Global Movement Here at the WSF, it’s not really about getting to speak on the big panel. It’s not really about being shocked and overwhelmed at the widespread poverty encapsulated in numerous large “slums” all over the city. It’s not really about complaining of the thick envelope of dust that settles all over us everyday. It’s not even about pushing for the next piece of small legislation that might help our efforts. If that were all, we would have missed the largest opportunity we have. It’s really about sharing our stories of struggle and strategies for overcoming the obstacles to assert our dignity in the world and claim our rights. It’s about celebrating our cultures and diversity, while recognizing the hope within it all. It’s about building collective action, so that we know we’re never alone and that millions stand alongside us. The chant at the rally -- “We Are One!” -- said it all. We were fortunate that we weren’t building a global movement. We were actually strengthening the global movements that have continued to grow over many decades. Who came together in Mumbai? Migrant Rights International (MRI) with its members throughout the world, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) with over 20 national members around the region, Asian Migrant Center (AMC), Welfare Association of Repatriated Bangladeshi Employees (WARBE), the Center for Education and Communication’s (CEC) Migrant Program, the South Koreans’ campaign to stop the crackdown on migrant workers, the Domestic Workers in Mumbai itself, all came together with the National Network and our own members DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving) and CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities. We also strengthened ongoing and new relationships with Andolan and the Domestic Workers Union from New York and Enlaces America from Chicago. We met every afternoon between hurrying back and forth from interesting workshops, to share our stories and plan our actions. We got together and claimed a booth to display our materials and as a central space to gather and rest. We conducted spontaneous street theatre in random places throughout the vast WSF site. We organized a mass march and rally in five languages. We held three workshops and actively participated in countless others, articulating the various issues migrant communities face, and how we respond to them. Yes, while the obstacles have been many, it hasn’t prevented those of us who made it here from telling our stories – of ourselves and our communities; from sharing our ideas and recognizing our rights and from continuing to grow our collective movement. This was another big step and we know we have lots more to do. But as we wipe away our sweat and rub the dust out of our eyes during the march, we smile at each other and celebrate another small victory, as those who have gathered around us, cheer us on. Will we make it to World Social Forum V? No doubt, the challenges will be there again and maybe more. We sigh at the thought of going through another round of immigration check-points on the way home, but we are inspired at the thought of building even more and taking it even further. Colin Rajah is the program consultant for the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights' international project. Colin helped organize NNIRR's participation in the mobilizations against the WTO in Cancun and the FTAA in Miami. For more information, visit: www.nnirr.org National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
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