A Tale of Two Committees: CERD and CEDAW and the Protection of Migrant Workers’ Rights in the Gulf
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A Tale of Two Committees: CERD and CEDAW and the Protection of Migrant
Workers’ Rights in the Gulf
Nick McGeehan
European University Institute, Florence
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Outline
The region The problem Mafiwasta International Obligations CERD August 2009 CEDAW January 2010 Following Up
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The Gulf Cooperative States
Economically, socially, culturally homogenous
0.5% of world population 20% global oil production /
reserves Strong western allies Recent history of slave
trading and use of slaves Dependence on migrant
labour
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$Arabian Gulf vs. $South Asia
Bahr
ain
Kuwai
t
Oman
Qatar
Saud
i Ara
bia
Unite
d Ar
ab E
mira
tes
Bang
lade
shIn
dia
Nepal
Pakist
an
Sri L
anka
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
gni/capita (2007 figures)
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Migrant Workers in the Gulf
Imposition of debt Passport Confiscation Kafala system Denial of access to justice Denial of trade union rights No active civil society Active repression of human
rights defenders No press freedom
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Mafiwasta: Origins and Goals
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International Obligations
ICCPR OP ICESCR OP MWC CERD* CEDAW
Bahrain
y n y n n y y
Kuwait y n y n n y y
Oman n n n n n y y
Qatar n n n n n y y
UAE n n n n n y y
Saudi A
n n n n n y y
*none have recognised the Committee’s competence to accept individual complaints under Article 14 of CERD.
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CERD: August 2009
“he observed that the State party’s society appeared stratified, with an element of separation between citizens and different groups of migrant workers. In that regard, he recalled the Committee’s view, expressed in general recommendation XIX, that a condition of racial segregation could arise without any initiative or direct involvement by the public authorities...”
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CEDAW: January 2010
57. The Committee requests the State party to provide, within two years, written information on the steps undertaken to implement the recommendations contained in paragraphs 27 and 37 [shelters for abused women + legal protection of foreign workers]
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Thank YouThe End