workshop on protection and durable solutions within mixed migratory flows san josé, costa rica,...
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Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Tools for Refugee Status Determination
in the context of the Mexico Plan of Action
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Regional overview
- Almost all countries in Latin America undertake refugee status determination (RSD)
- UNHCR carries out RSD only in one country in the region
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
National Eligibility Mechanisms
Multi-member, Inter-ministerial body
Argentina BoliviaBelize BrazilChile EcuadorEl Salvador GuatemalaNicaragua PanamaPerú Dominican
RepublicUruguay Venezuela
Single-member mechanism
(Migration Directorate)
Costa RicaHonduras
Ad hoc mechanism
Mexico
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Regional Overview
Composition of eligibility commissions:- Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice, Labour,
Public Security, etc. - Establishment of Technical Secretariat
UNHCR´s role:- Member of the commission (with voice, no vote)- Technical advice and drafting of legal advisories- Country of Origin Information
Participation of civil socitiey in eligibility commissions
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Tools for Refugee Status Determination
Interpretation of technical criteria
Mexico Plan of Action
Procedural Issues
Operational capacity Regional cooperation
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Interpretation of Technical Criteria
Compilation of decision on eligibility
Use of UNHCR Handbooks and Guidelines on International Protection:- Guidelines on specific topics- Eligibility notes on specific nationalities- Country of Origin Information (www.acnur.org)
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Procedural Issues
Use of UNHCR Handbooks on Registration and Procedural Standards for refugee status determination:
- Confidentiality rules- Filing and registration of applications - File management and processing of claim- ID cards for asylum seekers and refugees- Opening and closing of files
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Operational Capacity
Profesionalization of staff- Specificity of functions - Selection of personnel (good judgment, analytical
skills, ethical values, etc.) - Continuity in the job
Management of Eligibility activities- Confidentiality of information- Security and well-being of staff - Activities to combat fraud and corruption
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Operational Capacity
Training of Staff:- Exchanges among countries (e.g.: twinning projects)- UNHCR courses at the national and regional levels
(e.g.: VI Regional course for Latin America)
Operational support- Deployment of UNHCR staff
Signing of cooperation agreements- E.g.: Agreement between Migration Directorate
of Costa Rica and UNHCR
Workshop on Protection and Durable Solutions within Mixed Migratory Flows San José, Costa Rica, 11-13 August, 2008
Regional Cooperation
Streamlining of communication mechanisms among States
- E.g.: In the case of irregular secondary movements of recognized refugees
Holding of regional meetings on refugee issues- Comemoration of Cartagena Declaration in 2004- RCM Workshop on Protection and Durable solutions in 2008