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You can watch the live streamed press conference (in Spanish) here.
Guatemala, June 3, 2021 –– In light of Vice President Harris’ upcoming visit to Guatemala, Alianza Americas, American Friends Service Committee, Pop No’j Association, Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), FLACSO Guatemala, Civil Society Articulating Group on Migration Issues for Guatemala, Root Causes of Migration Initiative, Presente.org, Migration and Development Platform, and Red Jesuita Con Migrantes (RJM) issued recommendations for VP Harris that address human mobility within, from, and to Guatemala.
The principal issues addressed in the document are related to governance and the rule of law, socioeconomic conditions, organized crime and gender violence, climate justice and the environment, and comprehensive immigration systems.
“We open a space for dialogue recognizing the U.S. government’s interest in addressing the root causes of international migration. We appreciate Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership in creating spaces of dialogue, management, and advocacy with the governments of Central America and Mexico. We agree that this is no easy task, given it implies addressing the structural causes that affect us and contribute to many factors that encourage human mobility from Guatemala,” said Mirtha Colón, President of the Alianza Americas Board of Directors.
Some of the specific recommendations include:
“It’s important to emphasize that as civil society organizations we are willing to contribute to the implementation of these recommendations and those derived from the dialogue process we hope to maintain with your government,” added Rosario Martínez of FLACSO Guatemala.
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Alianza Americas: A network of organizations led by immigrants working in the United States and at the transnational level to create an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable way of life for communities in North, Central, and South America. For more information, visit www.alianzaamericas.org.
Presente.org is the nation’s largest online Latinx organizing group — and the nation’s premier Latinx digital organizing hub — advancing social justice with technology, media, and culture. Build Power. Change Culture. ¡Stay Presente! www.presente.org
American Friends Service Committee: A Quaker organization dedicated to service, development, and peace programs across the world. Their work is based on belief in the value of each person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. www.afsc.org
Pop No’j Association: A nonprofit Civil Association that promotes reflection, research, exchange, and learnings. www.asociacioinpopnoj.org
Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL): Works for the defense of human rights to reduce inequality, discrimination, and violence through the strengthening of democracy, the protection and promotion of human rights, and the fight against prevailing impunity in the region. www.cejil.org
Faculty of Latin American Social Sciences Guatemala: Was created by UNESCO recommendation in 1957, and has established itself as a Latin American and Caribbean international organization that is academic, autonomous, and dedicated to the promotion, teaching, research, and technical cooperation in the field of social sciences. It is currently formed by 18 member States. www.flasco.edu.gt
Civil Society Articulating Group on Migratory Issues: A political platform with over 10 years of experience in migration management, based on the Human Rights of migrants and their families. It is made up of around 20 Guatemalan civil society organizations with various focus areas and expertise, which are necessary for defending this population. One of the main contributions and commitments of this platform has been to promote the creation of the country’s Migration Code.
About the Root Causes of Migration Initiative: A network among organizations in Central America, Mexico, and the United States working to identify and address the causes that drive migration throughout the region. Our objective is to work for change in public policies while addressing the conditions that make it impossible for families to stay in their country of origin and possible to be punished for leaving to seek a better situation.
Red Jesuita Con Migrantes (RJM): Seeks to promote and defend the human rights of the most vulnerable migrants, displaced, and refugees and their families. www.redjesuitaconmigranteslac.org
Download Here (Guatemala Statement)
Download Here (Recommendations from civil society)
