Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Update on the International Protection of Refugees

in RCM Member Countries

Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Regional Trends

- Armed conflict in Colombia:- Average of 200,000 newly displaced persons per year- More than 500,000 people have sought international protection abroad- 3.6 million Colombians of concern to UNHCR (2006)

- Refugees from Latin America and Caribbean predominantly seek for protection in countries of the Americas

Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Regional Trends

-United States of America: major recipient of new asylum seekers among industrialized countries (49,200)

- Canada: number of asylum claims continued to rise in 2007 (28,300)

Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Implementing Regional Strategies

Canada: financial contribution to UNHCR`s programs and operations in Latin America and the Mexico Plan of Action

Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Strengthening of Normative Frameworks

-Nicaragua: Discussion of legislative bill specifically concerning the protection of refugees before National Assembly

-Panama: adoption of Law No. 298 allowing refugees who have lived in the country for more than 10 years to have access to a permanent residence; drafting of bylaws of Law No. 3

- United States of America: new law amending the application of “material support” concept

Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Operative framework

-Mexico: appointment of 68 Child Protection Officers (National Institute for Migration)

- Nicaragua: arrival of 49 asylum seekers by sea and deployment of two Eligibility Officers from UNHCR Regional Office in Mexico

Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Training on International Refugee Law

-Mexico: new law on trafficking in persons provides for training of civil servants in fields of human rights and refugee law

- Organization of American States (OAS): special session on current issues of international refugee law addressed to permanent missions to OAS (January 29, 2008, Washington DC)

Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008

Durable Solutions

- United States of America: increasing reception of Iraqi refugees through resettlement program

- Chile and Brazil: Palestine refugees began arriving through “Solidarity Resettlement” programs