DMPR - Marcogliese - Modulo 2 (2020)

Módulo 2: Procedimientos de Terminación de la Condición de Refugiado

Etapas del Procedimiento

• Se introducen las etapas del procedimiento para la condición de refugiado, que incluyen el acceso al procedimiento, la entrevista, la adopción de una resolución y los recursos disponibles.

• La presentación de solicitudes se realiza ante autoridades competentes o fronterizas; el rechazo en frontera es considerado una violación al principio de no devolución.

• Un desafío importante es la centralización de las autoridades de asilo en capitales, lo que dificulta el acceso a personas en territorios extensos como Argentina.

• En Argentina, hay un acuerdo entre la Comisión Nacional para los Refugiados y las autoridades migratorias para facilitar la formalización de solicitudes en el interior del país.

• Algunos estados imponen plazos para formalizar solicitudes (30 a 90 días), mientras que otros han implementado entrevistas previas a la formalización que pueden limitar el acceso al procedimiento.

Entrevista y Resolución

• La segunda etapa implica realizar una entrevista obligatoria con intérpretes adecuados; se busca garantizar condiciones adecuadas durante este proceso.

• Tras la entrevista, se analizan los hechos y se evalúa información sobre el país de origen antes que la autoridad competente adopte una resolución basada en informes técnicos.

• En Argentina, estos informes son elaborados por secretarías específicas y aunque no son vinculantes, influyen en decisiones sobre reconocimiento del estatuto.

Desafíos en el Sistema

• Un problema recurrente es la incapacidad para resolver solicitudes dentro de plazos razonables; ha habido un aumento significativo en solicitantes (ej. Brasil tiene más de 160 mil solicitudes pendientes).

• Los mecanismos de revisión varían: algunos países permiten impugnaciones ante órganos que tomaron decisiones iniciales; otros requieren recursos judiciales tras resoluciones desfavorables.

Legislative Best Practices in Latin America for Asylum Seekers

Importance of Improving Recursive Stages

• Emphasizes the need to enhance recursive stages to ensure resources are effective and fair against denial decisions.

Good Legislative Practices in Latin America

• Highlights that Latin America has been recognized by UNHCR for incorporating good legislative practices, such as the right to work for asylum seekers, which is present in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay but lacking in many other regions.

Age and Gender Sensitivity

• Discusses the importance of age-sensitive and gender-sensitive approaches, allowing individuals to be interviewed by officials of their preferred gender and ensuring individual interviews for all family members.

Special Protections for Unaccompanied Minors

• Details special protections for unaccompanied or separated minors, including priority processing and judicial protection measures that prioritize the child's best interest throughout procedures.

Prohibition of Border Rejection

• Notes that legislation explicitly prohibits border rejection and non-sanctioning for irregular entry, affirming rights apply not only to recognized refugees but also to applicants regarding confidentiality and legal assistance.

Access to Legal Assistance and Identity Documents

Free Legal Assistance

• Mentions that many legislations provide free legal assistance to applicants; Argentina has established a specific mechanism through its General Defender's Office.

Identity Documents Accessibility

• Points out that authorities increasingly coordinate with other government sectors to provide identity documents at low cost or free of charge.

Regional Cooperation Initiatives

Introduction of Regional Cooperation

• Introduces regional cooperation efforts among countries concerning asylum processes, focusing on Brazil's action plan and information exchange within Mercosur.

Cartagena +30 Process

• Describes the Cartagena +30 process initiated in 2014 aimed at identifying challenges while formulating a roadmap for addressing refugee issues over the next decade.

Unique Position of South America

• Highlights South America's unique position as a cohesive block despite differences during consultative meetings leading up to recommendations on refugee solutions.

Innovations from Mercosur’s Action Plan

Advances Highlighted by Mercosur

• States that conclusions from meetings emphasized normative advancements within Mercosur providing innovative perspectives on refugee solutions.

Alternative Mobility Solutions

• Discusses innovative alternatives proposed for refugee mobility within member states under Mercosur’s migration options with necessary protective safeguards.

The Brazil Action Plan Outcomes

Adoption of Brazil Action Plan

• In December 2014, representatives from 28 Latin American states adopted the Brazil Action Plan focusing on protection aspects alongside comprehensive solutions like solidarity with Central America’s Northern Triangle.

Programs Addressed in the Action Plan

Action Plan for Refugee Protection in Brazil

Overview of the Action Plan

• The action plan includes mechanisms for monitoring and follow-up, with triennial reports that help diagnose the functioning of asylum systems. The first report was presented and analyzed in 2017.

• A second report is expected in 2020, emphasizing Brazil's recognition of ongoing integration processes as vital for strengthening refugee protection.

MERCOSUR Initiatives

• Six months after Brazil's action plan approval in June 2015, MERCOSUR ministers established a dialogue space called the National Committees Meeting for Refugees to facilitate information exchange among member states.

• This initiative institutionalized a process aimed at raising protection standards regionally, which had begun three years prior.

Global Context and International Cooperation

• A global context of forced displacement prompted states to rethink their protection strategies and international cooperation agendas to enhance response capabilities against potential increases in refugee flows.

• The UNHCR played a crucial role in promoting these initiatives within the region, alongside MERCOSUR’s commitment to becoming a protective space.

Progress and Challenges

• In 2012, countries adopted a declaration on international protection principles, recognizing the need for humanitarian spaces and criteria to address international protection challenges.

• Since its establishment, MERCOSUR has worked under this framework to coordinate efforts related to Brazil's action plan focusing on durable solutions and best practices sharing.

Implementation Insights

• States aim to adopt common internal policies while also reaching consensus externally. After three years post-action plan adoption, initial progress reports indicated notable advancements but highlighted ongoing challenges.

• Key challenges include managing an exponential increase in asylum requests and resolving pending cases efficiently.

Quality Asylum Program Developments

• Under the Quality Asylum Program, improvements were noted in reception structures, standardized operational procedures, and training modules for officials regarding protection issues.

• However, significant challenges remain such as ensuring free legal representation throughout all procedural stages and addressing delays in formalizing applications.

Local Integration Efforts