E/CN.4/2003/85/Add.4 page 23 (l) The Government consider the possibility of revising the jurisprudence relevant to the application of the Immigration Law in order to ensure that it does not give rise to cases of abuses against foreigners and that it does not discriminate against foreigners with regard to property rights; (m) The United Nations Country Team and other international agencies strengthen their support to the Government of the Philippines in the above-mentioned endeavours. Notes 1 The local government of Bohol, in cooperation with NGOs, has initiated programmes aimed at assisting migrants and their families in investing remittances in the establishment of enterprises with a view to creating job opportunities for returning migrants and promoting long-term development of their communities. 2 United States Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001: Philippines. 3 David Forman, “Protecting Philippine Overseas Contract Workers”, Comparative Labour Law Journal, vol. 16, 1994. 4 See also N. Diaz, Violence against Women Migrant Workers and their Protection under International Human Rights Law, University College London, 2001. 5 Data provided by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. 6 The Special Rapporteur was informed that there are laws addressing trafficking in women and children, such as Act 272 on slavery; Act 341 on the slave trade; Republic Act 6955 declaring mail-order brides, i.e. the business of matching Filipino women for marriage with foreign nationals, unlawful; Republic Act No. 7610 - Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act - criminalizing trading and dealing in children; and Republic Act 8043 - Inter-Country Adoption Act - ensuring the protection of Filipino children from abuse, exploitation, trafficking and/or sale in connection with adoption. Trafficked women can resort to the provisions of RA 8042 for some forms of protection. However, this rests on the false assumption that people will only seek employment through POEA and leave the Philippines with approved contracts. On the other hand, the enforcement of RA 6955 is difficult because the Act does not have extraterritorial application and advertisements outside the country or through the Internet cannot be stopped. 7 Network Opposed to Violence against Women Migrants, Rating Government Protection for Overseas Filipina Workers. -----