Press release 15/12/2006

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

Please see below for the press release in French, Spanish, Dutch and Italian.

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