A/HRC/13/60
difficulties related to implementation of human rights norms and also of previous decisions
of the Working Group. It was pointed out that such discussions could enable stakeholders to
perform better. The need to continue to collect information, including through
questionnaires, and to post updated information on the website of OHCHR were also
emphasized.
22.
Several delegates underlined the importance of elaborating and implementing
national action plans, adopting anti-discrimination legislation and establishing national
human rights institutions. It was emphasized that participation of all relevant stakeholders
and consultations with civil society should be ensured.
23.
A number of members indicated that the active participation of representatives of
treaty monitoring bodies, in particular the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination and Special Rapporteurs, especially the Special Rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in
the sessions of the Working Group was essential. It was stated that efforts to complement
the work of other Durban follow-up mechanisms and to avoid the overlapping of initiatives
needed to be increased and that steps to achieve better coordination and synergy with other
human rights mechanisms, in particular the Working Group of Experts on People of
African Descent, should be undertaken progressively.
24.
Several delegates noted that in order to enhance the effectiveness of the Working
Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of
Action, it was important to address procedural issues in advance, before the beginning of
the sessions. They emphasized that it was essential that documentation be circulated at least
six weeks before the beginning of the respective session.
25.
With regard to the selection of themes for the sessions of the Working Group, a
number of members pointed out that proposed themes for future discussions should be
based on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. It was stated that the selection
of the themes for each section should be made well in advance and preferably also in
consultation with the Chairperson of the Working Group of Experts on People of African
Descent.
B.
Migration
26.
Ana Elizabeth Cubias Medina, a member of the Committee on Migrant Workers,
noted that the rights of migrants were often violated. She pointed out that migrants were
increasingly isolated. The speaker also noted that migrants were also vulnerable to
trafficking. Moreover, she stated that migrants often became scapegoats of existing
domestic problems such as unemployment, terrorism, crimes and drugs.
27.
The panellist noted that any difference could trigger a process of discrimination, for
example nationality, culture, physical appearance, economic status, gender, among other
things. In that regard, it was important to understand why differences led to discrimination
and how to reverse the flow of that phenomenon.
28.
The feminization of migration and the high vulnerability of migrant women were
highlighted by the panellist. Ms. Cubias Medina also stressed that undocumented migrants
were highly vulnerable to arbitrary detention, mistreatment, physical violence and torture,
among others.
29.
The speaker highlighted the importance of combating negative stereotypes against
migrants. Migration could improve the human development of the family of the migrant,
the host community and the country of destination. She noted the importance of increasing
6
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