Foreword: "Millions of people are on the move. The world?s policymakers and political leaders face the complex challenge of ensuring that migration takes place in ways that are fair, mutually beneficial and respectful of human rights. There is no shortage of laws and policies on migration. Some measures recognize the positive contribution of migrants and migration to economic welfare, to national prosperity and to development. However, other measures react to migration and to migrants as threatening phenomena. These measures can have negative consequences, including violations of the human rights of migrants and their families. Parliamentarians have a critical role to play to ensure a meaningful, balanced and informed response to migration. They are first of all responsible for adopting adequate laws on migration to give effect to international obligations entered into by the state under the international treaty framework, in particular with respect to human rights norms and labour standards. Parliamentarians, as well as governments, can and should promote fair and effective policies in order to maximize the benefits of migration while addressing the real challenges that host, transit and origin countries and migrants face. The Inter-Parliamentary Union, the International Labour Office and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, according to their respective mandates, have decided to produce this information tool that should help parliamentarians to achieve the above objective. The handbook offers responses to fundamental questions on migration, such as those concerned with its root causes and possible responses in terms of good policies and practices, as well as the challenges, both for migrants and for countries, in relation to national well-being, development and social cohesion. The handbook proposes a balanced approach to make effective laws and policies that address the human rights of migrants and the governance of migration. The handbook reflects the long experience of our three cooperating organizations and our constituents worldwide. It contains examples of measures and practices relating to migration that have worked successfully. It is intended to be useful not only for parliamentarians, but also for government officials and civil servants as well as for social partners and civil society. The ultimate objective of this Handbook is to promote fair and rights-based migration policies, aligned with international norms and standards, in the interest of all migrants as well as host, transit and origin countries." - Martin Chungong, Secretary General Inter-Parliamentary Union... Zeid Ra?ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights... Guy Ryder Director-General International Labour Organization