E/CN.4/2002/94 page 14 46. The Special Rapporteur considers that policies discriminating against migrants because of their national origin cannot be allowed to take root, and States must honour their international undertakings on human rights, particularly as regards the non-derogable rights of every individual. 47. The Special Rapporteur added her name to those of 16 other independent United Nations experts beneath a statement released on Human Rights Day voicing deep concern over the adoption or contemplation of anti-terrorist and national security legislation and other measures that might infringe upon the enjoyment of human rights. The statement also deplored human rights violations and measures particularly targeting groups such as migrants whose effect was to limit the protection of their rights. 48. In her statement of 25 September, the Special Rapporteur welcomed efforts by Governments to combat racist and xenophobic acts perpetrated against migrants in different parts of the world in reaction to the attacks of 11 September. The situation of migrant women 49. Accounts she has received during the period covered by this report suggest to the Special Rapporteur that many of the young women emigrating to more developed countries settle there whether they arrived legally or not, because they do not face the same patterns of discrimination and oppression by family members as at home. The women report that they can decide things for themselves and are free to do what they want with their lives, despite the hardships they encounter as migrants. 50. Many women also report, however, that despite their greater personal freedom they still face some discriminatory practices, such as being paid lower wages because they are migrants and women, or not having access to basic health services for women because of their illegal status. This is a matter of particular concern for migrant women who are pregnant and cannot always obtain appropriate antenatal care. 51. During the period covered by this report the Special Rapporteur has continued to pay close attention to the kinds of abuse to which migrant women in domestic service are subject. She notes that the protection afforded to domestic workers’ rights is extremely flimsy, and that many instances of exploitation at work, physical, mental and sexual abuse are reported, in particular by women emigrating from Asia, a large proportion of whom migrate to countries in the Persian Gulf region. 52. In May 2001 the Special Rapporteur attended an Asian regional forum on female migrant domestic workers organized by a coalition of Asian non-governmental organizations. There she heard accounts reflecting the lack of access to protective mechanisms in the face of extreme abuse, including cases of slavery. Victims told her that their consulates had done too little to protect them and that, besides having suffered violations of their human and labour rights, they had been penalized and deported for trying to report their employers. The Special Rapporteur considers it very important to institute a detailed discussion between countries of origin and receiving countries, including migrants’ and civil society organizations, on the subject of protection for female migrant domestic workers.