International advocacy update January 2023
Report on how to expand and diversify regularisation mechanisms and programmes to enhance the protection of the human rights of migrants – DEADLINE 15 February 2023
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants will dedicate his forthcoming report to the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council to discuss how to expand and diversify regularisation mechanisms and programmes to enhance the protection the human rights of migrants in irregular situations.
The Special Rapporteur has issued a call for inputs from stakeholders, including civil society. The Special Rapporteur particularly wishes to:
- Highlight the experiences of migrants in irregular situations;
- Provide an analysis on how irregularity increases vulnerability to human rights violations;
- Identify promising practices at the national and regional levels regarding regularisation of migrants in irregular situations.
GAATW will prepare a submission to the Special Rapporteur. If members want to contribute to it, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 1 February 2023.
43rd Session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group – France, Romania, Montenegro, United Arab Emirates, Serbia
The Universal Periodic Review is a mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council. Under the UPR, the human rights situation in each country is reviewed every four years. During the review, other countries make recommendations to the state being reviewed e.g. “Indonesia recommends that the UK allows migrant domestic workers to change their employer without restriction” or “Brazil recommends that Bahrain end the Kafala system for migrant workers”
The Universal Periodic Reviews for France, Romania, Montenegro, the United Arab Emirates, and Serbia are taking place in May 2023.
If GAATW members want to try and influence the recommendations that are made to their country, they can submit information to, and request meetings with, the embassies of different countries in Geneva. GAATW would be happy to facilitate this process and members can contact Maya.
76th Session of the UN Committee against Torture – Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Slovakia – DEADLINE 20 March 2023
The UN Committee on the Convention against Torture (CAT Committee) is a mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council that reviews countries’ compliance with the UN Convention against Torture.
In May 2023, the Committee will review Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Slovakia. Amongst the issues the Committee will look at is the issue of trafficking in persons and the rights of survivors of trafficking.
Civil society can submit written information to the CAT Committee by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 20 March 2023. If GAATW members are interested in participating in this process, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
67th Commission on the Status of Women - March 2023
The priority theme for CSW this year is “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”
GAATW will co-organise a parallel event with the Women in Migration Network, the Sex Workers Project – Urban Justice Centre, Migrant-Rights.org and the International Domestic Workers Federation. The event will be at 4:30pm EST on 8 March 2023 at CCUN, 8th floor.
If GAATW members are planning to attend CSW this year, please do let us know as we would love to meet up. We are also keen to hear your ideas for other meet-ups, gatherings and protests we can organise throughout CSW. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.