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20th Anniversary of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees
2004 marked the 20th Anniversary of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees. Adopted in 1984 by a group of governmental experts and eminent jurists from the region, the Declaration focused on the legal and humanitarian problems affecting Central American refugees.
The Declaration was an innovative and pragmatic regional approach to provide protection to those in need and to promote durable solutions. In a significant breakthrough, it broadens the definition of a "refugee" set out in the 1951 Convention to include those who have fled their countries because their lives, safety or freedom have been threatened by generalised violence, foreign aggression, internal conflicts, massive violation of human rights or other circumstances which have seriously disturbed public order.
The Cartagena Declaration was further developed and enhanced by the 1989 International Conference on Central American Refugees (CIREFCA). On its 10th Anniversary in 1994, the San José Declaration on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons was adopted, analysing the importance of the Cartagena Declaration as a protection tool in Latin America, and referring to the need to address the plight of internally displaced persons in the region.
Commemoration of the Cartagena Declaration's 20th Anniversary took place amid growing national security concerns, the fight against terrorism and increasing migratory controls in the Americas, which have prompted the adoption of restrictive asylum policies. But humanitarian treatment of Colombians in need of protection and principled responses to forced displacement within and outside Latin America call for the continued application of the pragmatic and forward-looking regional standards recommended by the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees. The "spirit of Cartagena" is as much needed today as it was 20 years ago.
2004 marked the 20th Anniversary of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees. Adopted in 1984 by a group of governmental experts and eminent jurists from the region, the Declaration focused on the legal and humanitarian problems affecting Central American refugees.
The Declaration was an innovative and pragmatic regional approach to provide protection to those in need and to promote durable solutions. In a significant breakthrough, it broadens the definition of a "refugee" set out in the 1951 Convention to include those who have fled their countries because their lives, safety or freedom have been threatened by generalised violence, foreign aggression, internal conflicts, massive violation of human rights or other circumstances which have seriously disturbed public order.
The Cartagena Declaration was further developed and enhanced by the 1989 International Conference on Central American Refugees (CIREFCA). On its 10th Anniversary in 1994, the San José Declaration on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons was adopted, analysing the importance of the Cartagena Declaration as a protection tool in Latin America, and referring to the need to address the plight of internally displaced persons in the region.
Commemoration of the Cartagena Declaration's 20th Anniversary took place amid growing national security concerns, the fight against terrorism and increasing migratory controls in the Americas, which have prompted the adoption of restrictive asylum policies. But humanitarian treatment of Colombians in need of protection and principled responses to forced displacement within and outside Latin America call for the continued application of the pragmatic and forward-looking regional standards recommended by the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees. The "spirit of Cartagena" is as much needed today as it was 20 years ago.
Mexico Declaration and Plan of Action to Strengthen International Protection of Refugees in Latin America
Adopted in Mexico City on 16 November 2004 at the 20th anniversary commemoration of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees.
Refview: The Mexico Plan of Action
Date: 18 December 2005
Following its endorsement in 2004 by twenty Latin American countries, the Mexico Plan of Action lays out tangible steps to promote protection and achieve durable solutions for refugees and IDPs alike.
Visit UNHCR's Spanish language website for the Refview magazine in Spanish (external link, opens new window).
Adopted in Mexico City on 16 November 2004 at the 20th anniversary commemoration of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees.
Refview: The Mexico Plan of Action
Date: 18 December 2005
Following its endorsement in 2004 by twenty Latin American countries, the Mexico Plan of Action lays out tangible steps to promote protection and achieve durable solutions for refugees and IDPs alike.
Visit UNHCR's Spanish language website for the Refview magazine in Spanish (external link, opens new window).
Enhancing International Refugee Protection in Latin America: The Mexico Plan of Action
Date: 19 December 2005
Information on activities at the country or regional level which promote international protection and durable solutions in the region in the context of the Mexico Plan of Action.
Solidarity Resettlement in Action: Policies, Programmes and Needs - Opportunities for Cooperation
Summary of the debate between participating Governments, NGOs and UNHCR, Quito 2 and 3 February 2006
Date: 19 December 2005
Information on activities at the country or regional level which promote international protection and durable solutions in the region in the context of the Mexico Plan of Action.
Solidarity Resettlement in Action: Policies, Programmes and Needs - Opportunities for Cooperation
Summary of the debate between participating Governments, NGOs and UNHCR, Quito 2 and 3 February 2006
Cartagena Declaration on Refugees
Adopted by the Colloquium on the International Protection of Refugees in Central America, Mexico and Panama, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 22 November 1984
Central American Refugees and the Cartagena Declaration
Executive Committee conclusion 37 of 1985.
Principles and Criteria for the Protection of and Assistance to Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in Latin America
Document prepared by the Group of Experts for the International Conference on Central American Refugees, January 1990.
San Jose Declaration and Refugees and Displaced Persons
Conclusions and Recommendations of the Declaration adopted in 1994.
Preparatory Meetings for the 20th anniversary event
Sub-Regional meetings in San José, Brasilia and Cartagena De Indias.
Click here for poster.
Cartagena Declaration and Mexico Plan of Action in the News
Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Latin America and the Caribbean
Levels and Trends, 1980-2003.
State of the World's Refugees
Chapter 5, Proxy Wars in Africa, Asia and Central America.
Cartagena Declaration on UNHCR's Spanish website
Information in Spanish.
Adopted by the Colloquium on the International Protection of Refugees in Central America, Mexico and Panama, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 22 November 1984
Central American Refugees and the Cartagena Declaration
Executive Committee conclusion 37 of 1985.
Principles and Criteria for the Protection of and Assistance to Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in Latin America
Document prepared by the Group of Experts for the International Conference on Central American Refugees, January 1990.
San Jose Declaration and Refugees and Displaced Persons
Conclusions and Recommendations of the Declaration adopted in 1994.
Preparatory Meetings for the 20th anniversary eventSub-Regional meetings in San José, Brasilia and Cartagena De Indias.
Click here for poster.
Cartagena Declaration and Mexico Plan of Action in the News
Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Latin America and the Caribbean
Levels and Trends, 1980-2003.
State of the World's Refugees
Chapter 5, Proxy Wars in Africa, Asia and Central America.
Cartagena Declaration on UNHCR's Spanish website
Information in Spanish.