The United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families is the most comprehensive international treaty in the field of migration and human rights. It sets a worldwide standard in terms of migrants' access to fundamental human rights, at a time when the number of migrants is on the rise and evidence regarding human rights abuses in relation to migration increases. Yet, since the Convention entered into force in 2003 only 35 states have ratified it, and no major country involved in immigration as done so. This volume coordinated by UNESCO provides in depth information on the Convention and on the reasons behind states' reluctance to ratify the Convention.The first part documents the history, content and scope of the Convention and features chapters by those directly involved in drafting and implementing the Convention, including international civil servants and human rights activists.
The second part provides case studies focusing on the countries across the world which receive the most immigrants, and explores the situation in terms of migrants' rights and the obstacles to, and prospects for states' ratification of the treaty.