WSFM 2006
Assembly of Social Movements, held at the II WORLD SOCIAL FORUM ON MIGRATIONS “For a universal citizenship and human rights. Another world is possible”


The men and women who make up social movements and civil society organisations in favour of an alternative globalisation, gathered in Rivas Vaciamadrid (Spain) from June 22nd to 24th, 2006, and represented by 1193 organisations from 84 countries from all over the world,


BELIEVE THAT:

Creating another world is possible, necessary and urgent. As migrants, we are agents as well as subjects of transformation of both the societies that we arrive in and of those that we leave. This role, and the opportunity for the growth of both societies presented by it should be recognised and promoted.

At present, migration is a process operating in the context of globalisation nd cannot be analysed outside of this context. It cannot be approached exclusively as an internal issue relating to borders. Rather, it is an economic, political, cultural and social process related directly to the global impacts generated by the capitalist neo-liberal model.

Migration policies cannot be in contradiction with Human Rights; these are the common heritage of humanity and should serve to guarantee its interdependence, integrity and universality.

Universal citizenship is a necessity for the processes of living together. All those who arrive in a country must have all the rights inherent to human beings, irrespective of nationality and including the right of suffrage.

As migrants, we are social subjects whose empowerment and articulation as agents of political, social, cultural and economic change is fundamental. Therefore, the II World Social Forum on Migrations is a privileged space for the articulation of the movement for the defence of migrants’ rights.


WE DENOUNCE THAT:

The economic, social and cultural policies that form the basis of the current globalisation prevent a human and sustainable development that responds to the interests and needs of all societies. The actions of multinational companies, external debt, loss of food sovereignty, exploitation of natural resources and armed conflicts are the factors which force people to move and emigrate, both to the North and between countries in the South.

Practices which contravene human rights, such as the externalisation of borders, exploitative production and internment centres are not admissible. We will not allow migration to be linked to security nor will we allow it to be used as small change between governments or for electoral purposes.

There exists a reductionist view that sees migrants purely as a workforce. Migrants are people, not merchandise, and as such must be guaranteed all the rights that allow us to develop and to be citizens of the society we have arrived in: labour, social, cultural, economic, civil and political rights.

There are other forms of persecution, which are forcing millions of people to leave their societies of origin, such as the impact of economic mega projects, environmental disasters, persecution because of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion and the violation of economic and social rights which are not included in international legislation on protection.

There are other forms of persecution, which are forcing millions of people to leave their societies of origin, such as the impact of economic mega projects, environmental disasters, persecution because of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion and the violation of economic and social rights which are not included in international legislation on protection.

There are thousands of people who die, are tortured, mutilated and disappear during migrations with absolute impunity. We denounce the fortification of borders, as well as the walls, patrols, satellites and mafias and the trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation that cause these crimes. In addition, we denounce the trade in human beings and work in conditions of slavery.


WE PROPOSE, DEMAND AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO:

We demand that global development as a public responsibility to be taken up by states and multilateral bodies with the participation of citizenry.

We demand that human rights be guaranteed in all societies, irrespective of the administrative situation of people or the stage of the migratory process – origin, transit, destination and return. We demand that migrants not be criminalised for not having papers, that immigration laws violating international law and human rights be abrogated and free circulation of people be guaranteed.

Exigimos la firma, ratificación y puesta en práctica de la International Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families, Convention 143 of the International Labour Organisation on migrant workers and Convention 49 against the Trafficking of Human Beings. We commit ourselves to ensuring that all public authorities in all states adopt measures that lead to their ratification. We demand especially that trade unions act to achieve this.

The right to live as a family is fundamental for all migrant people. We demand that this be guaranteed.

We demand that international protection be extended to those who are victims of other forms of persecution not included in the Geneva Convention. We demand that access to the right to asylum in a safe country be guaranteed, as well as the right of return of refugees with guarantees.

We demand that our prominence as women immigrants be recognised and made visible, combating the view that makes us victims.

We commit to making sure that our demands, denouncements and proposals reach all possible national and international spaces.


THEREFORE

  1. We make the DECLARATION OF RIVAS, our work agenda which will enable a common effort at national, international and local levels.
  2. We commit to holding the III World Social Forum on Migrations and to giving continuity to the actions here agreed upon. In addition, we commit to organising the section on migration at the V World Social Forum in Nairobi 2007.
  3. We will carry out a global mobilisation once a year to denounce, propose and make the World Social Forum on Migrations visible.
  4. We will maintain the website of the forum as a space for work, memory and exchange.
  5. We will create a space for the joint creation of a World Charter of Migrants that will be discussed at the next forum.
  6. An Permanent International Committee for the World Social Forum of Migrations has been created with representation from all the continents, assuring the monitoring of working compromise and open to local and regional replica.

Y hacemos esto porque creemos que,


ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE, NECESSARY AND URGENT