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"reconstruction must not be at the expense of transformation" Technical Working Group
on Migration Introduction The Working Group on Migration was carried out in the context of the Consultative Group Meeting& The session was organized with the collaboration of the International Migration Organization (IOM), and was chaired by its Director General, Mr. Brunson Mckinley. The Ministers of Foreign Relations of Costa Rica and Honduras, their Excellencies Roberto Rojas and Roberto Flores Bermddez attended the meeting, as well as representatives of other Central and North American governments, Sweden and Japan, international agencies and non governmental organizations. Discussion focused on. the presentations made by representatives of Central American governments, the Pro-Tempore Secretariat of the Regional Conference on Migration or "Puebla Process", Roberto Kozak~ Regional Representative for Central America and Mexico of IOM, and Agustin Escobar, professor at Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropologia Social, or Center for Research and Higher Studies in Social Anthropology (CIESAS - Mexico). Migration in Central America: Current Situation. Consensus was unanimous regarding the recognition that the issue of migration requires special priority in order to properly address governance, and that it should become a positive factor in the Reconstruction and Transformation of Central America. Hurricane Mitch hit a region that was already experiencing growth in both documented and undocumented migration. This was a result of
Within this context, the region already faced new challenges in migration, including growth of emigration to both the United States and Costa Rica, the irregular situation of a large number of migrants, the importance of remittances and their high cost, the integration of migrants into their host countries, as well as the issue of returning migrants and their socioeconomic reinsertion. These challenges were heightened because of the weaknesses of existing migration systems. In spite of remarkable improvements, Central American countries still lack appropriate legal and operative frameworks, as well as sufficient data for the assessment of this phenomenon. This impacts on their ability to manage migration efficiently. Hurricane Mitch struck when the region the reconstruction and consolidation of its democratic life, following a prolonged period of confrontation. Further, as a consequence of the reestablishment of peace, several of the affected countries were still faced with the task of reincorporating displaced populations by means of employment and access to the land. The Working Group recognized that the prevailing situation of migration results from structural deficiencies, as well as among the various Central American economies, both of which were seriously worsened by Mitch. Migration will continue to be part of Central American reality due to the above factors as well as to the ongoing processes of market oriented reforms and democratization. Development processes in Central America should be guided by the notion that the population must be able to exert their right not to migrate, that is to say, to achieve a satisfactory level of living in their own country. At the same time, it must be recognized that Central America will have to deal with the issue of this migration growth, both intra-regionally and towards North America, especially the United States. Regional Progress in Migration. Over the last four years, the governments of Central and North America have recognized the growing relevance of migration issues in their regional agenda, both in domestic and international. term& This has produced significant progress in the creation and consolidation of a regional and bilateral approach for the treatment of migration issues. In 1996, the Regional Conference on Migration, also known as the Puebla Process, was put into place. Participants include not only Central American countries, but also the main receiving countries. It is the most significant recent achievement for dealing with migration on a multilateral basis. The Puebla Process provides a forum for the discussion of migratory issues. All participating countries share a common concern from different perspectives, owing to the fact that they are countries of origin, transit or destination of migratory flows. It is to be noted that the Central American Integration System (SICA), through its General Secretariat, has also incorporated migration as a positive and fundamental aspect of Central American Development and Integration. Conclusions and Recommendations The Working Group noted with satisfaction the Inter American Development Bank's support and the interest of the Central American countries in the migratory situation, which is a positive element for the incorporation of this dimension in the process of Reconstruction and Transformation of Central America. The Bank, through its Representations in each of the Central American countries, has become a useful instrument in the dialogue regarding migration among the Central American countries in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, as well as in the planning and evaluation of regional actions. The Working Group explicitly and unanimously recognized Costa Rica, for the broad amnesty granted to Central American immigrants, mostly Nicaraguans, who live in an irregular migratory situation in that country. It also recognized the immigration-related benefits extended to Central American migrants by the United States. The Group agreed that the main challenge to the region is that the Central American population should be able to freely exercise their right not to migrate. This requires that the process of Reconstruction and Transformation should be accompanied by a more equitable distribution of the benefits of development, providing access to international markets and attracting- foreign investment which promote=te~ greater opportunities for employment and access to better living conditions for all levels of society. Similarly, migrants' insertion in receiving societies should be carried out in a comprehensive manner, with strict respect for their human rights. This comprehensive approach should also be based on social policies and programs. In order to advance further in the mechanisms for the management of migration, it is necessary to strengthen the multilateral and bilateral approach, paying close attention to the specific characteristics of each country and ensuring priority attention to the needs of the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children. The Secretariat of the Puebla Process, currently under the responsibility of El Salvador, expressed its satisfaction at the implementation of this Working Group, and stressed the complementarity and mutual reinforcement between the Working Group's conclusions and the aims of the Puebla Process. The Working Group on Migration concluded that the following actions should be undertaken to respond to priority needs for the region:
The connection between the migration processes and sustainable development, full respect. for human rights and. the consolidation of democratic processes, today acquire particular relevance and significance in the region. The Working Group on Migration appeals to the international community for support of Central American efforts to achieve the governance of migration as well as to ensure that it becomes a positive dimension of the Central American process of Reconstruction and Transformation. For more information on the workshop, contact |
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Nicaragua, May 2000 - Honduras, February 2000 - Stockholm, May 1999
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