The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) hosted a consultation on December 24, 2024, in Addis Ababa, focusing on promoting regular migration pathway through ratification of relevant international human rights instruments regarding migrants’ protection. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including representatives from government agencies, international organizations and civil society to collaboratively explore the challenges and opportunities of migration within Ethiopia and across borders.
The consultation also examined the global and national legal frameworks governing migration, including Ethiopia’s Proclamation 1178/2020 and international conventions. EHRC shared insights from its pilot monitoring efforts, such as activities at the Togowachale Migrant Response Centre and assessments of overseas employment arrangements.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) emphasized the significance of ratifying international human rights instruments, in particular, the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families and relevant ILO Conventions. The presentation highlighted the role of international labour standards in shaping migration policies and ensure fair treatment for all workers, regardless of their migration status. Discussions reiterated the importance of these instruments in safeguarding migrant workers from exploitation and discrimination.
The consultation forwarded a unified call for action to address migration-governance challenges through collective efforts. Key recommendations included adopting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, strengthening partnerships with international and regional stakeholders, and integrating human rights into all stages of the migration process. Participants also stressed the importance of gender-sensitive migration policies, recognizing the different experiences of men and women in migration.
Enguday Meskele, Director of the Department of the Rights of Refugees, IDPs, and Migrants at EHRC, presented the foundational principles of a human rights-based approach to migration. She highlighted Ethiopia’s position as a major origin and transit country for migrants and highlighted the vulnerabilities migrants face along irregular migration corridors to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She reaffirmed EHRC’s commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of all migrants and stressed migration governance must be rooted in human rights principles.
