Human Rights Watch Urges Better Migrant Protections in Latin America

[ad_1]

A global human rights watchdog on Wednesday called on Latin American governments to improve protection schemes, grant legal status, and reverse "onerous visa requirements" for millions of Haitians and Venezuelans who have struggled to find work, access to health care, and education in South American host countries. This struggle has been forcing them to increasingly seek asylum in the United States.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch, "limited" integration and regularisation policies in South America are compelling vulnerable people to head to the United States every month. Many asylum seekers endure a perilous journey to reach the US border, including the risky crossing of the Darien Gap, a roadless swath of jungle between Colombia and Panama.

The organisation urged Latin American governments to implement a "region-wide protection regime" that would grant legal status to all Venezuelans and Haitians for a renewable and adequate duration, even if they may not qualify for refugee status under domestic law. The report also called for the elimination of barriers preventing migrants from obtaining work permits while seeking asylum.

"While some Latin American governments have made commendable efforts to receive migrants and asylum seekers, restrictive timelines, complex procedures, onerous document requirements, and administrative delays have often hampered these efforts," the report noted. Human Rights Watch reviewed asylum policies in several countries, including Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Chile, and pointed out that the capacity limitations of asylum systems have resulted in significant delays.

Panama officials reported that over 700,000 migrants have crossed the Darien Gap in the past 18 months on their way to the United States, with 238,000 people crossing so far this year. Approximately 65 per cent of those making this treacherous journey are Venezuelans fleeing their country's political and economic crisis. Meanwhile, 11,000 Haitians have also crossed the jungle this year alone, motivated by acute food insecurity and violence in their home country.

Human Rights Watch emphasized that Haitians in South America face difficulties in obtaining residence permits or formal jobs, making it challenging to support their families back home and pushing them towards the US. Venezuelans, who form a significant portion of asylum seekers, also struggle to integrate into South American economies that have slowed post-pandemic.

Research by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) suggests that most Venezuelans seeking asylum in the United States had originally tried to settle in other South American countries like Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. A UNHCR report in July indicated that 66 per cent of Venezuelans who crossed the Darien Jungle that month had previously lived in South America.

(With inputs from agencies.)

[ad_1]

Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66e13b00335849edbe134a4d4d534f37&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.devdiscourse.com%2Farticle%2Flaw-order%2F3082255-human-rights-watch-urges-better-migrant-protections-in-latin-america&c=7149371413282168810&mkt=en-us Author : Publish date : 2024-09-10 19:04:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .

Human Rights Watch Urges Better Migrant Protections in Latin America

A look inside Mexico’s judicial overhaul

Colombia: Colombia breaks the historical record as the deadliest country for land and environmental defenders

Colombia: Colombia breaks the historical record as the deadliest country for land and environmental defenders

Trump’s Decision to End Humanitarian Parole: A Game Changer for Thousands of Migrants from Four Nations

Unveiling the Visionary Leaders Shaping Montserrat’s Future

US Troops Intensify Combat Drills in Panama as Venezuela Tensions Escalate

Epic Clash: Brazil and Paraguay Set for an Unforgettable Showdown!

Alarm Bells Ring: DENV-3 Raises Fears of Widespread Dengue Outbreaks in the Americas

Bad Bunny’s Daring Leap: Bringing Puerto Rico to the Super Bowl Spotlight!

Suriname Triumphs: A Historic Victory as the Nation is Declared Malaria-Free!

Heartbreaking Drone Strike: Were Two Trinidadians Victims of a U.S. Attack Near Venezuela?

Don’t Miss a Moment: Stream the Thrilling Uruguay vs. Peru Showdown in the Copa America Femenina Today!

Discovering the Untold Story: The 50-Year Quest for the U.S. Purchase of the Virgin Islands

Categories

Archives