UN Nepal organizes panel discussion ‘Youth in Migration-Protecting and Promoting Human Rights’

Kathmandu / Feb 17: The United Nations in Nepal on Friday organised a panel discussion to seek ways to ensure the rights of migrant youths, who according to a UN study are the most vulnerable in foreign countries.

Other partners involved in organising the panel discussion includ the IOM, UNESCO, UNV and Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DGECHO).

The discussion was held on the title ‘Youth in Migration – Protecting and Promoting Human Rights’ to bring forth the issues faced by youth in migration and advocate for protection issues to promote their human rights, said a statement issued by the UN.

The panel discussion brought together representatives from UN agencies, EU, National Youth Council, Foreign Employment Board Secretariat, National Human Rights Commission, academia, and the private sector among others to understand ways to address the challenges faced by youth in countries of destination and delineate ways to promote safe, orderly, and dignified migration, securing human rights of the youth.

According to a statement issued by UN Nepal, evidence from various studies shows that youth migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. They experience maltreatment by unscrupulous employers and they suffer isolation, sub-standard working conditions, non-payment of wages, and the threat of being reported to the authorities and deported to their countries of origin.

Speaking at the event, the UN Resident Coordinator Robert Kasca said “More than 2.1 million Nepali people are currently abroad for employment or education. Their remittances contribute to 25 % of Nepal’s GDP. But this does not come without a price. Today, we are here to bring our partners together to discuss and identify how we can jointly protect and realise the human rights of migrants, particularly young migrants.”

The half day event allowed for youth to discuss and share their experiences in relation to human rights and returnee or aspiring migrants. This panel discussion aimed to give a voice to the challenges faced by youth while migrating to destination countries and pave a way forward to enable them to access their rights, both abroad and at home.