A/HRC/32/50
B.
Prevention
73.
Building on the context-specific assessment, identifying and addressing the
incentives for current or potential conflict may help to limit the ability of
“entrepreneurs” to mobilize on exclusionary grounds. For example, in contexts where
the positive contribution of refugees or other immigrants is portrayed as an added
social and economic value, host communities and local institutions may be more
readily incentivized to accept and absorb immigrants. Examples from Canada, in
which communities with declining populations have actively sought immigrants in
order to bolster their workforces and their political weight, may provide guidance in
this regard. On the other hand, in order to inhibit or contain the exacerbation of
inter-group divisions, effective early interventions should be taken to prohibit or coopt those who aggravate differences and discrimination to serve a certain agenda.
Prevention may also include strengthening inter-group interactions and relations, so
as to make them more resilient to divisive agendas.
C.
Promoting social solidarity
74.
In relation to migration, there is a need to find innovative ways to draw social
solidarity from the existing local cultural, social and political context. All actors —
including local officials, leaders, private actors, and service providers — who have the
power to bring about immediate positive change need to be sensitized to the value of
social solidarity. There is a need to move away from a purely State-centred approach
and to put further emphasis on a bottom-up implementation of policies to foster social
tolerance, mutual respect and trust. Assertions of rights based on the minority status
of individuals or groups can be effective in drawing attention to patterns and practices
of discrimination including xenophobia. However, as this strategy requires groups
that are already in vulnerable situations to be made visible, the necessary safeguards
should be taken in order to prevent a further entrenching of categories. For example,
Portugal has established a coherent integration policy for immigrants and seriously
encourages intercultural dialogue. This is managed by the High Commission for
Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue, which is responsible for enacting a
progressive action plan for immigrant integration that has clear implementation
deadlines.
D.
Scale of intervention
75.
In addition to a national diagnosis, it is necessary to pay attention to deeply
localized sources of conflict and discrimination. In this regard, the role of local actors,
including local government, is paramount in taking tailored local administrative and
other measures to overcome local barriers to integration and peaceful cohabitation.
For example, the City of New York decided to issue all immigrants, regardless of their
immigration status, with identity cards in order to enable them to access basic services
such as housing, bank accounts, legal services and education. 84 In the United States of
America today, through protection of the confidentiality of immigration status, the
city sanctuary movement has challenged the exclusion of non-citizens from the
enjoyment of rights such as housing, health care, education, police services,
employment and social assistance, while advancing alternative ideas of citizenship in
84
Aaron Morrison, “Immigrant identification card: New York’s ID program watched by immigration
reform advocates across nation”.
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