Noting the large numbers of women from developing countries and from some countries with economies in transition who continue to venture forth to more affluent countries in search of a living for themselves and their families as a consequence of poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic conditions, Recognizing that it is the duty of sending countries to protect and promote the interests of their citizens who seek to receive employment in other countries, to provide them with appropriate training and education and to apprise them of their rights and obligations in the countries of employment, Aware of the moral obligation of receiving or host countries to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons within their boundaries, including women migrant workers, who are doubly vulnerable because of their gender and their being foreigners, Noting the measures adopted by some receiving States to alleviate the plight of women migrant workers residing within their areas of jurisdiction, Noting with concern, however, the continuing reports of grave abuses and acts of violence in all its forms, committed against women migrant workers by some of their employers in some host countries, Stressing that acts of violence directed against women impair or nullify women’s enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recalling section IV of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/6 of 22 July 1996, in which the Council decided that the Commission, as part of its work programme for 1998, should consider the issues of women’s human rights, violence against women, women and armed conflict and the girl child, in line with the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, 1. Notes the convening of the United Nations expert group meeting on violence against women migrant workers, which was held at Manila from 27 to 31 May 1996; 2. Encourages member States to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families;32 3. Requests the Secretary-General to take into account and to reflect in his thematic report to the Commission on the Status of Women at its forty-second session the various major findings and recommendations from all reports of the Secretary-General submitted to the General Assembly on the issue of violence against women migrant workers, in order for the Commission to make recommendations on the issue; 4. 32 Decides to remain seized of this matter. General Assembly resolution 45/158, annex. -25-