The UN’s Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: Analysis of the Final Draft and Monitoring Implementation
Edited by Elspeth Guild (Queen Mary University of London) and Tugba Basaran (University of Cambridge)
The New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 19 September 2016, initiated a process towards two Compacts: the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The Compacts are non-binding agreements which lay out a set of principles, objectives and partnerships for the governance of refugees and migration. This commentary will focus on the Global Compact on Migration, the first intergovernmental agreement on migration, negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations.
In the ‘GCM Commentary’ below, every objective of the Global Compact for Migration is examined in view of human rights obligations and state practices. The contributors provide for each of the GCM’s objectives a critical assessment, highlight significant changes during the negotiations, and underline future aspirations. The commentaries sought to provide scholars, practitioners and policy-makers alike with accessible substantive analyses in the lead up to the adoption of the Global Compact for Migration at the end of 2018. The commentaries were posted on this blog between September and December 2018, objective by objective. Translations of this blog series in French and Arabic are available on the Hijra website.
In the ‘GCM Indicators’ posts below, each of the objectives is examined with a view towards implementation, to determine what those charged with reviewing implementation should be watching out for, ensuring that the GCM is being applied correctly (and human rights consistently). The starting place is the identification of targets to which evaluators can have regard when examining national implementation. These blogs will assist states in finding their way through the GCM to the correct implementation. We also hope that these blogs may assist states engaged in the peer-to-peer UN Universal Periodic Review processes.
Implementing Objective 1 GCM in Africa: to what extent are migrants’ personal data protected?
Blog post by Dr Younous Arbaoui, Assistant Professor, Amsterdam centre for Migration & Refugee Law (ACMRL), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Under the first Objective of the Global Compact for Migration, States committed to increase the collection and dissemination...
Morocco and the Marrakech Compact: a leader, not yet a champion
Blog post by Dr Younous Arbaoui, Assistant Professor, Amsterdam centre for Migration & Refugee Law (ACMRL), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam In June 2020, Morocco responded favourably to the UN Network on Migration’s (UNMN) invitation to join the ‘Champion...
Canada’s Role as a Champion Country for the Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration
Blog post by Dr Idil Atak, Ryerson University, Canada On June 4th, 2020, Canada accepted the invitation by International Organization for Migration (IOM) to become a “champion” country for the Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration (GCM). Canada...
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Champion States: A step forward towards implementation?
Blog post by Professor Elspeth Guild, Queen Mary University of London and Dr Idil Atak, Ryerson University, Canada From the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on 19 September 2016 calling for the negotiation of two new migration related...
A template for government-led compliance? – A closer look at the ‘six-step process for GCM implementation’
Blog post by Maja Grundler (QMUL) and Professor Elspeth Guild (QMUL). While the Marrakech Compact (MC) is a non-binding instrument, it foresees a number of review mechanisms, most importantly the International Review Forum starting in May 2022. There have...
The Portuguese Response to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM): A pioneer plan, but a challenging execution
Blog post by Ana Rita Gil (Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Lisbon) and Maria Mariana Moura (PhD Candidate, NOVA School of Law), and is part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular...
Promoting migration whilst preserving the hostile environment: inequality in the UK’s implementation of the Global Compact on Migration
Blog post by Kathryn Allinson, University of Bristol, and Clara Della Croce, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). This blog is part of the RLI series on the GCM implementation review. Introduction The UK has adopted the Marrakesh Compact and...
Greece’s Silence: Analysing the Greek Response to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)
Blog post by Meena Masood (Queen Mary University of London) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The Greek response to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and...
GCM Objective 4 on Legal identity: Adrift between migrant inclusion and migration management
Blog post written by Sandra Mantu, Assistant Professor (Radboud University, the Netherlands) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. 1. Introduction The right of...
Implementation of GCM Objective 21 in the UNECE Region: Selective Interpretation of the Return, Readmission, and Reintegration Commitments
Blog post written by Dr Izabella Majcher, a Senior Legal Officer at European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and a Refugee Law Initiative Research Affiliate. The views expressed in this blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the...
The dead, the missing and the bereaved: Is Objective 8 still a priority?
Blog post by Danai Angeli, Assistant Professor, Bilkent University, and Consultant to the Last Rights Project, and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Objective 8 GCM:...
Implementation of GCM Objective 13 in the UNECE Region: Little Added Value Provided by the Compact in Making Immigration Detention a Last Resort
Blog post by Dr Izabella Majcher, a Senior Legal Officer at European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and a Refugee Law Initiative Research Affiliate. The views expressed in this blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of...
Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: Spain
Blog post by Anca Crețu and Dr. Bjarney Friðriksdóttir, researchers at the Human Rights Institute, University of Deusto, and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. ...
Ignoring “Low-Skilled” Migrants and Outsourcing Security: A Critical Assessment of Germany’s Report on the Implementation of the Global Compact on Migration
Blog post by Timor Landherr, a PhD candidate Queen Mary University of London, and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Germany’s first report from the 31st of October...
The GCM Implementation in an EU Member State on the external border: Croatia – One step forward, two steps back
Blog post by Karla Žeravčić, Filip Bjelinski and Ana Kršinić (all students at the Faculty of Law of the University of Zagreb, Croatia) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration....
Innovation, Digitalization and Skills Development for the Implementation of Objective 18
Blog post by Elisa Fornalé and Elias Bieri [1] and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Objective 18 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration...
Framing Labour Mobility, Investment Migration and Development Cooperation as Emerging Strategies to Implement Objectives 2 and 5 of the GCM
Blog post by Elisa Fornalé [1] and Federica Cristani [2] and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. 1.0 Introduction Objectives 2 and 5 of the Global Compact for...
Progress made in integration and social inclusion: Objective 16 “Empowerment of migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social cohesion” in the review process
Blog post by Professor Ulrike Brandl (University of Salzburg) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Introduction Objective 16 of the Global Compact for Safe,...
A Critical Look at Canada’s Implementation of the Global Compact for Migration
Blog post by Idil Atak (Ryerson University) and Delphine Nakache (University of Ottawa)[1] and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Today, Canada is one of the most...
Commentary on the Implementation of Objective 15: Access to Basic Services
Blog post by Bethany Hastie, Assistant Professor, Peter A Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Objective 15 of...
GCM Implementation: Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: Belgium
Blog post by Dr Jean-Baptiste Farcy (Universite de Louvain), and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Introduction The UN Network on Migration held the first...
Implementing the Global Compact on Migration (The Marrakesh Compact): Examining the First Regional Review (UNECE Region)
Blog post by Professor Elspeth Guild, Queen Mary University of London, and Dr Tugba Basaran, University of Cambridge The Marrakesh Compact (MC), adopted by the UN in 2018 after two years of stocktaking and negotiations, establishes a cooperative framework for...
The Global Compact for Migration is more than just its objectives
This blog post summarises points from a workshop entitled “How can the Global Compact for Migration be owned and used?” Hosted by the Refugee Law Initiative, the workshop brought together academic researchers and non-governmental actors to unpack ownership and...
GCM Indicators: Objective 10: Prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of international migration
Blog post written by Dr Jean-Pierre Gauci and Francesca Romana Partipilo (British Institute of International and Comparative Law) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe,...
GCM Indicators: Objective 2: Minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their country of origin
Blog post written by Prof. Elisa Fornalé and Ms Aylin Yildiz (World Trade Institute, University of Bern). This post forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The factors compelling...
GCM Indicators: Objective 9: Strengthen the transational response to smuggling of migrants
Blog post written by Dr Jean-Pierre Gauci and Francesca Romana Partipilo (British Institute of International and Comparative Law) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and...
GCM Indicators: Objective 14: Enhance consular protection, assistance and co-operation throughout the migration cycle
Blog post written by Stefanie Grant (Independent Researcher) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The Global Compact for Migration gives consular...
GCM Indicators: Objective 11: Manage borders in an integrated, secure and coordinated manner
Blog post written by Elif Mendos Kuşkonmaz (University of Portsmouth) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Objective 11 calls for the collaboration among states on border...
GCM Indicators: Objective 23: Strengthen international cooperation and global partnerships for safe, orderly and regular migration
Blog post written by Dr Christina Oelgemoller (Loughborough University) and Nicholas Maple (RLI) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The aim of Objective 23, which...
GCM Indicators: Objective 20: Promote faster, safer and cheaper transfer of remittances and foster financial inclusion of migrants
Blog post written by Dr Tugba Basaran (Cambridge University) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Introduction Objective 20 commits to faster, safer and cheaper...
GCM Indicators: Objective 19: Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries
Blog post written by Dr Christina Oelgemoller (Loughborough University) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Objective 19 plays an important role in the context of the...
GCM Indicators: Objective 8: Save lives and establish coordinated international efforts on missing migrants
Blog post written by Syd Bolton and Catriona Jarvis (The Last Rights Project) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. “We welcome objective 8 on saving...
GCM Indicators: Implementation, Follow-up and Review
Blog post written by Jean Monnet Professor ad personam Elspeth Guild (QMUL), Kathryn Allinson (QMUL), Dr Tugba Basaran (Cambridge University), Dr Christina Oelgemoller (Loughborough University) and Professor Kees Groenendijk (Radboud University) and forms...
GCM Indicators: Objective 17: Eliminate all forms of discrimination
Blog post written by Kathryn Allinson a Refugee Law Initiative Research Affiliate undertaking a PhD in Law at Queen Mary University of London, and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular...
GCM Indicators: Objective 7: Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration
Blog post written by Delphine Nakache (University of Ottawa) and Idil Atak (Ryerson University), and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Objective 7 of the UN Global Compact...
GCM Indicators: Objective 18: Invest in skills development and facilitate mutual recognition of skills, qualifications and competences
Blog post written by Prof. Elisa Fornalé and Ms. Aylin Yildiz (World Trade Institute, University of Bern). This post forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly...
GCM Indicators: Objective 16: Empower migrants and societies to realise full inclusion and social cohesion
Blog post written by Ulrike Brandl (University of Salzburg) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Introduction Objective 16 of the Global Compact on...
GCM Indicators: Objective 22: Establish mechanisms for the portability of social security entitlements and earned benefits
Blog post written by Dr Paul Minderhoud (Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Objective 22 aims to assist migrant workers at all...
GCM Indicators: Objective 5: Enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration
Blog post written by Emeritus Professor Kees Groenendijk (Radboud University, Netherlands) and forms part of a series of blog posts examining the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular...
GCM Indicators: Objective 21: Cooperate in facilitating safe and dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration
Blog post written by Dr Izabella Majcher, a Refugee Law Initiative Research Affiliate specialised in EU immigration and asylum policy. Izabella is a researcher at the Global Detention Project and a volunteer visitor to immigration detainees with the Ligue Suisse des...