UN Human Rights Treaties

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL Distr. GENERAL E/CN,4/NG0/234 11 January 1979 Originals ENGLISH and FRENCH COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Thirty-fifth session Item 14 of the provisional agenda MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION AND ENSURE THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS Written statement submitted by the International Union for Child Welfare, a nongovernmental organization in category II consultative status The Secretary-General has received the following statement, which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1296 (XLIV). [9 January 1979] WORKING GROUP OF THE NGO-IYC COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD SUB-GROUP ON THE CHILDREN OF MIGRANT WORKERS Meeting ,of 22 to 23 June 1978 at the I.U.C.W. , Geneva EDUCATION Starting from the assumption that States have a declared policy of ensuring access to education for the children of migrant workers, the sub-working group stressed the value of determining the efforts made by interested States in favour of both: - the integration of migrant workers in the compulsory education systems existing in the countries concerned; - the preservation of the culture (language, civilization, history, etc.) of the countries of origin. In this connexion, it would be necessary to establish; - whether international agreements exist between the countries of origin and the host countries in this respect; - who is responsible for experiences attempted in the area of bi-cultural or, inter-cultural development? Are Such initiatives undertaken within or outside of the host country's educational system? GE.79-10294 E/CN.4/NGO/234 page 2 - what educational programmes have been adopted or are envisaged to ensure the effectiveness of such initiatives? - what measures are taken to encourage, with the assistance of both public and, private bodies, the organization of "supervised study periods" after classes designed to provide "educational assistance, to children who are not helped at home? - what measures have been taken to provides information to teachers of the host countries regarding the cultural and social backgrounds of migrant children, and pedagogical training of those teachers. HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE Studies undertaken in several countries have revealed the existence of numerous health problems among the children of migrant workers and have also shown that migrant families often make insufficient and inadequate use of available health and social services in the host countries. If such a situation exists in your country, could you indicate whether or not some measures have been taken to improve the situation, particularly in the following areas; information to migrant families on health and social services available and information on how to use. these services; the provision of interpreters for health and social services, in order to help communication between their staff and migrant families; the training of health services staff in the host country with regard to the specific health problems of migrant children and families; - possibilities of employing the services of the staff of health and social services from the migrants' countries of origin. With a view to providing information to the competent educational bodies, the subgroup' took cognizance of the existance of a booklet recording "Education and Health of Children Educated Abroad" adopted by the Ministerial Committee of the Council of Europe. - Are you aware of the existence of this booklet?. - If yes, are you using it? - If you are using it, have you developed a system of information modelled on the guidelines contained in this booklet? CHILDREN OF MIGRANTS BORN IN THE HOST COUNTRY; THE SECOND GENERATION In spite of the fact that in certain countries, particularly in Europe, measures have been introduced since 1974 to curb immigration, the foreign populations of certain industrialized countries either remain stable or have a tendency to increase on account of the following two factors: E/CT.4/MX)/234 page 3 - movements caused by family regroupings; - the relatively high birth-rate among migrant workers. This situation has led the sub-working group to consider problems related to the children of second generation migrants who are constantly increasing in numbers and who feel out of their element despite efforts made to favour their integration. In addition to information on the cultural and educational aspects of the situation, mentioned previously in the context of educational problems, the subgroup considers that it would be useful to receive information on measures taken by States concerning: - naturalization; - residence permits; - work permits; - recognition by the countries concerned (both the host countries and the countries of origin; of academic or professional diplomas as well as professional qualifications; social and professional integration.