E/CN.4/2006/73/Add.2 page 3 (c) Seeking ways of optimizing the benefits of international migration, such as: (1) promoting government investment of fund transfers in activities likely to stimulate local and national development; (2) supporting joint development projects aimed at making best use of the human resources of the diaspora; (d) Introducing stricter controls of civil status documents used in the preparation of national passports; (e) Introducing “transparent” procedures respectful of human rights in the area of irregular migration, which security staff can follow in their daily work, especially those concerning the situation of unaccompanied minors; (f) Introducing measures to safeguard the voting rights of Burkina Faso nationals. In 2003, 350,000 Burkina Faso nationals returned home as a result of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, a humanitarian and economic upheaval bringing with it serious human rights violations, including attempts on the lives and physical integrity of Burkina Faso nationals in Côte d’Ivoire. For Burkina Faso, which has a population of 11.5 million and 3 million nationals living in Côte d’Ivoire, the crisis there has taken on enormous proportions. The plight of returnees has highlighted the disregard for certain fundamental rights, such as socio-economic rights related to employment, social security, health, housing, food and education. Returnees in general are faced with conditions of extreme poverty, which drives them back to Côte d’Ivoire, despite the persistent insecurity in that country. The women are generally left on their own with the children and are the first affected by the consequences of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. The decision taken by the Government of Burkino Faso not to set up camps for returnees and instead to encourage their integration in communities appears to have positive effects. The socio-economic resettlement of returnees is a matter of urgent priority. In this respect the Special Rapporteur recommends: (a) dealing urgently with the situation of repatriated women and children; (b) giving special support to projects promoting income-generating activities for women returnees; (c) considering the possibility of establishing a returnee assistance fund; (d) opening a civil registry to record violations and losses incurred during the Ivorian crisis; (e) keeping a close watch on the impact of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, in order to deal with adverse effects on Burkina Faso nationals. The Special Rapporteur also makes recommendations for the international community. She suggests in particular: (a) giving support to socio-economic resettlement programmes for returnees, especially those benefiting women; (b) facilitating the adoption, implementation and monitoring of a national migration policy; (c) ensuring that international aid is distributed in a transparent and appropriate manner.