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Migration and the right to health

Document number
2371
Date
2010
Title
Migration and the right to health
Author/publisher
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Migration, health, human rights,
Summary

The report wishes to stress, to governments and other actors that, the right to health is a human right that does not only apply to a countries native population, but also to immigrants. The report explores the general and specific instruments that recognise and define the right to health and describes these mechanisms in depth. The report is made on the notion that a health approach should be unbiased and comprehensive, and needs to ensure that migrants get the same treatment as non migrants. The report further states that migrants in good health contribute to the well being and economical growth of society. As an example is mentioned the U.K where, in 2002, migrants contributed with more than 31 billion pounds, and cost society less than 29 billion, meaning they added up to a = 2.5 billion pounds to the country’s economy. In effect migrants helped reduce taxes for non migrants. 

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