A/HRC/35/25
as non-nationals in the new country. The mental health of migrants is an issue of concern,
with factors such as human rights violations before or during the migration process, social
isolation caused by separation from family and social networks, job insecurity, difficult
living conditions, detention and exploitative treatment potentially having adverse effects.
Migrant women and girls often experience more problematic pregnancy and gynaecological
health issues as compared with the host population. Those working in domestic services
face widespread physical, sexual and psychological abuse and thus require urgent health
care and protection. Access to health care for migrants and the level of such care, however,
varies enormously, depending on State policies and the immigration status of the migrant.
68.
Access to public services, such as health care, education, local police, social
services, public housing, labour inspection and health and safety inspection, is key to
ensuring that such services are able to perform their mission with the trust of all
beneficiaries, including migrants, and that migrants do not fear detection, detention and
deportation. Too frequently, immigration enforcement services enlist other public services
as auxiliaries for the detection of undocumented migrants or gain access to their databases.
Unless firewalls are established between public services and immigration enforcement,
vulnerable migrants will never report human rights violations, and perpetrators will benefit
from practical immunity.
69.
In the light of the fact that migration is most often an urban phenomenon, cities are
best placed to ensure the integration of migrants. Municipal authorities, which are close to
the needs and interests of the whole community, have already developed excellent policies
and practices and shown leadership in integrating migrants into the population through their
policies, without distinction of any kind. Local authorities in over 40 countries allow some
form of local electoral involvement of migrants in order to increase government
accountability to migrants who cannot vote even though they work, pay taxes and assume
other civic responsibilities.10 Such initiatives would help to integrate them into their new
communities and ensure their access to basic services at the municipal level through
participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Targets
6.1.
Establish firewalls between immigration enforcement and public services, thereby
allowing for access to justice, housing, health care, education, police, social and
labour services for all migrants, without fear of detection, detention and deportation
6.2.
Provide equal and equitable access for all migrants and members of their families to
adequate, affordable, accessible and quality health care, including mental, sexual
and reproductive health care, and to information and education, including on family
planning
6.3.
Ensure equal access for all migrants to quality education at all levels in destination
and transit countries, and enrolment therein, including formal schooling (primary,
secondary and higher education), adult education, on-the-job and vocational
training, language training and lifelong learning opportunities
6.4.
Ensure access for all migrants to adequate, safe and affordable housing and to other
basic services
6.5.
Provide cities with the powers and resources needed for the integration of migrants,
regardless of their status and circumstances
Indicators
(a)
Increased number of countries that have developed national and municipal
legislation, policies, plans and programmes on equal access to services for all migrants,
allocated the powers and resources needed for the integration of migrants and established
firewalls between immigration enforcement and public services;
10
IOM, “The Role of IOM: Migrants and the Equal Participation in Political and Public Affairs”.
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