(apologies for crossposting)
Radio 18-12 welcomes further support from UN High Commissioner Louise Arbour to
promote International Migrant's Day, 18 December
Brussels 15th December 2006
In a written interview with Radio 18-12, the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights, Louise Arbour celebrates International Migrants Day and
wholeheartedly supports the first ever Global Radio Marathon conceived to
celebrate International Migrant's Day on December 18th 2006:
"I would like to congratulate them for this much needed initiative. Radios and
media in general should be encouraged to stress the positive contribution
migrants make to the host societies and to counter the widespread tendency to
speak about migration in sensationalistic and alarming terms."
December 18 - the organisation behind Radio 18-12 - truly welcomes her support
and wants to highlight the willingness of the High Commissioner to collaborate
with civil society, NGOs, migrants groups and radios initiatives such as Radio
18-12.
In the interview, the Commissioner emphasizes and promotes the pivotal
importance of supporting migrants' rights today. She articulates clear
challenges for migrants' rights defenders in the coming years and offers a clear
overview of the role that the OHCHR can play at an international level, for
migrants' human rights worldwide.
The interview will be available in English, French and Spanish from midnight GMT
on the night of the 17th to 18th December 2006. In order to increase awareness
and widen impact, December 18 & Radio 18-12 invite and welcome radio stations,
migrant groups and other participants to quote parts or the entire interview
during their programmes or activities to celebrate International Migrant's Day.
Among other contributions to Radio 18-12 are three opinion pieces available in
English, French and Spanish and including: Mariette Grange (Human Rights Watch,
Geneva); David Bacon (Independent Journalist and Photographer, author of
"Communities without Borders") and Miguel Pickard (Center for Economic and
Political Research for Community Action, Chiapas). These will be available from
Friday 15th December at http://www.radio1812.net/blog .
An audio interview featuring former Irish President Mary Robinson will also be
available from www.radio1812.net for listening, downloading and re-broadcast.
The interview is scheduled for live broadcast by Colourful Radio on Monday 18th
December at 3pm GMT at www.colourfulradio.com .
The Radio 18-12 Global Audio Marathon will start in Australia and end on the
west coast of the Americas. Gathering broadcast programmes on migration issues
throughout the time zones and by providing online audio listening and exchange
platforms, the marathon will give life and impetus to the voices of migrants
throughout the world.
For more information please see the radio18-12 website at: www.radio18-12.net
You can also register for the Radio18-12 mailing list by contacting
radio-info@december18.net
Ends
Notes for editors: DECEMBER 18 is an online organization named after the
International Day of Solidarity with Migrants, initiated in 1997 by Asian
migrant organizations. It was on December 18, 1990 that the International
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families was approved by the UN General
Media and radio stations wishing to take part or for any media queries: Myriam
Horngren at myriam.horngren@december18.net, Phone: 44 (0) 208 815 8160 / Mobile:
44 (0) 7962 062698
Migrant groups and organisations wishing to promote their activities on
International Migrant's Day: Marie D'Auchamp at marie@december18.net , Phone:
+41.22.919.10.22