Manila, Philippines - October 23 - The U.S.-based National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) joined with scores of organizations from around the world, representing migrant rights, women's, labor, domestic workers and human rights groups to open the international gathering, "People's Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights" (PGA). Organized by an international coalition working with Philippine groups, the PGA is a major parallel event to governments who are meeting in Manila for their second "Global Forum on Migration and Development" (GFMD).

Colin Rajah, representing NNIRR in the international working group organizing the PGA in Manila, pointed out, "Migrants have rights; they are not commodities to be bought, sold, shipped and deported when they are no longer needed."

The PGA applied and received a public permit from the Philippine government more than four months ago to hold their events at the Rajah Sulayman Park, across from the shores of Manila Bay. Days before the opening, the Philippine government revoked the PGA's permit, fearing the international exposure on the issues of migrants. In response, the Malate Catholic Church opened their doors and the PGA was able to hold the opening meeting in the Church's parking lot, across from the Rajah Sulayman Park.

Governments' "Managed Migration" Policies Criminalize Migrants

Speaker after speaker from the Philippines, Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and the U.S. shared their "cuento," or story of migration, denouncing how governments, employers and corporations subject migrants to abuses. Nunu Kidane with Priority Africa Network (PAN), a U.S.-based diaspora organization, pointed out how Indigenous people and other migrants from Mexico and Latin America are dying in the deserts and mountains on the U.S. side of the Mexico border while African migrants are drowning in the Mediterrean Sea attempting to reach Europe. These deaths are a consequence of deliberate policies of "migration management" and other restrictive policies that criminalize status and provide no relief for the disastrous effects of globalization.

Led by William Gois of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), the PGA rally then began to march towards the Rajah Sulayman Park. Some 50 police agents, in riot gear and brandishing shields and batons, rushed over to block the march.

With hand-made signs, waving banners and flags, marchers began chanting "Migrant rights are Human Rights!" and marched around the park. Towards the close of the rally, Rex Varona with the Asian Migrant Center (AMC) in Hong Kong, along with other speakers repeated during the rally that "Governments must end forced migration; migrant workers are not commodities!" The PGA marched around the park and police, ending their peaceful assembly where it began -- at the church parking lot.

Migrant Rights Are Human Rights

"We are in Manila raising the voices of our communities reminding the governments that migrants have rights that they must uphold and protect," added Rajah, who also directs NNIRR's International Migrant Rights and Global Justice Program.

NNIRR is posting interviews, news and video reports of the activities and work of the People's Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights and the participation of PGA groups in the Global Forum on Migration and Development at:

http://www.migrantdiaries.blogspot.com

www.YouTube.com/user/NNIRR1985

For more information on the People's Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights please also visit:

www.mfasia.org/peoplesglobalaction