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Tools for Refugee Status Determination in the context of the Mexico Plan of Action

Tools for Refugee Status Determination in the context of the Mexico Plan of Action. Regional overview. Almost all countries in Latin America undertake refugee status determination (RSD) UNHCR carries out RSD only in one country in the region. National Eligibility Mechanisms.

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Tools for Refugee Status Determination in the context of the Mexico Plan of Action

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  1. Tools for Refugee Status Determination in the context of the Mexico Plan of Action

  2. Regional overview • Almost all countries in Latin America undertake refugee status determination (RSD) • UNHCR carries out RSD only in one country in the region

  3. National Eligibility Mechanisms Multi-member, Inter-ministerial body Argentina Bolivia Belize Brazil Chile Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Nicaragua Panama Perú Dominican Republic Uruguay Venezuela Single-member mechanism (Migration Directorate) Costa Rica Honduras Ad hoc mechanism Mexico

  4. 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

  5. Mexico Plan of Action Interpretation of technical criteria Procedural Issues Tools for Refugee Status Determination Regional cooperation Operational capacity

  6. 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)

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

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