International Conference of Migrants Service Providers
on Undocumented Migrants and the Current Global Economic Crisis
Academy House, San 76, Insu 6-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul City
July 16 and 17, 2010

D E C L A R A T I O N O F U N I T Y

We, grassroots migrant organizations and unions, migrants’ rights advocates and service providers gather together in Seoul, South Korea this July 16-17, 2010 for the International Conference of Migrants Service Providers on Undocumented Migrants and the Current Global Economic Crisis.

This conference we hold is a continuation of the regional conference held in Malaysia last 2003 where we shared experiences and united on analyses and strategies in dealing with the phenomenon of undocumented migrants.

We gather this time with the aims of knowing the current situation of undocumented migrants, sharing experiences in providing services to them and discerning the direction of our common tasks and strengthening our solidarity with one another and with all migrants.

As participants to this Conference, we hereby declare:

Whereas, the phenomenon of undocumented migrants is caused by the failure of governments of both labor-sending and labor-importing countries to uphold the rights and welfare of migrants;

Whereas, these governments have enforced exploitative and oppressive immigration and labor policies on migrants to maximize profits out of cheap labor;

Whereas, refugees and other migrants become easy prey of labor exploitation at the borders, especially those coming from countries of conflict;

Whereas, programs and services given by service providers have afforded avenues to undocumented migrants for redress of grievances through legal and supra-legal assistance, counseling services, shelter for those out of job, victimized and sick, labor education, communication, research and advocacy for human rights and recognition as productive inhabitants of society and other humanitarian services necessary for their well-being;

Whereas, these programs and services initiated are borne out of the deep commitment for social justice and the respect of human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of which these governments are signatories and specifically the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families;

RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that we participants take on the challenge to advance the campaign against the unabated discrimination, abuse and exploitation, arrest, detention and summary deportation of undocumented migrants through the following actions and resolutions:

1)  Launch campaigns against government crackdowns, ADD (arrest, detention and deportation) and all forms of attacks and violations of undocumented migrants. We shall release statements and urgent appeals, hold actions whether individually or jointly and conduct other activities possible. In concrete, hold a protest against the Thai government who is currently planning massive crackdown on undocumented migrants;

2)  Hold fact finding missions about the conditions of undocumented migrants, specifically the crackdowns conducted by host governments, and use the results from these missions in engaging with governments and inter-governmental institutions such as the United Nations;

3)  Study how impacts of the global economic crisis on undocumented migrants and the policy changes (i.e. bilateral agreements, national labor policies, etc.) at the governmental and inter-governmental levels. Use this information for education of migrant workers, as basis for dialogue with trade unions and other groups, and strategic methods in amending them or developing pro-migrant legislation;

4)  Develop an internet-based mailing network for communication and information exchange, especially of statements, appeals, stories of best practices and case study experiences. Ensure translation in due consideration of non-English speaking organizations and individuals;

5)  Strengthen solidarity and alliance among unions of local and migrant organizations in the destination countries as well as those existing between home and destination countries. Specifically, establish a network of service providers, NGOs and trade unions as well as strengthen outreach programs to undocumented migrants;

6)  Use Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other existing international conventions in raising the issue of undocumented migrants. Maximize certain inter-governmental agencies in filing complaints regarding attacks on undocumented migrants and advancing the campaign for their protection;

7) Plan actions against the G20 summit happening in Seoul, South Korea this November 2010. Release a statement that shall aim to gather local and international support with specific concern on the intensified crackdown on undocumented migrants in Korea. Maximize the media in publicizing the campaign and gathering support;

8)  Mobilize for the International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees in Mexico, November 2010.

Signed this 17th of July, 2010 at the Academy House, Seoul, South Korea.