“Regional Mechanism for the Comprehensive Protection of Migrant and Refugee Boys, Girls and Adolescents” Guatemala, June 2014

Background: Within the context of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM), Member States have adopted the following guidelines that are crucial to addressing the protection of migrant and refugee boys, girls and adolescents in the hemisphere: “Regional Guidelines for Special Protection in Cases of the Repatriation of Child Victims of Trafficking” (April 2007); “Regional Guidelines for the Assistance to Unaccompanied Migrant Boys, Girls and Adolescents in Cases of Repatriation” (July 2009); “Regional Guidelines for the Preliminary Identification of Profiles and Referral of Migrants in Vulnerable Situations” (June 2013).

Vice-Ministerial Meeting, June 2011: At the initiative of IOM, it was agreed to conduct a workshop on Migrant Boys, Girls and Adolescents to present an interagency study. Workshop on Migrant Boys, Girls and Adolescents, San José, March 2012: The interagency study entitled “Boys, Girls and Adolescents in Central America and Mexico” was discussed and national Plans of Action were developed (children, labour, foreign affairs, and migration sectors). Seminar on Migrant Boys, Girls and Adolescents, La Antigua, Guatemala, August 2013: The national Plans of Action were reviewed and a proposal was made for a regional mechanism for the protection of boys, girls and adolescents (children, labour, foreign affairs, and migration sectors). RCGM, November 2013: Member States of RCM accepted the recommendation by the Government of Guatemala to develop a proposal for the above-mentioned mechanism.

The migration of boys, girls and adolescents is a reality that affects several Member States of the Regional Conference on Migration. Therefore, an imperative need exists to identify mechanisms for the effective protection and comprehensive assistance to boys, girls and adolescents in all phases of the migration cycle. Rationale

Current Situation

Objectives To promote collaboration among Member States of the Regional Conference on Migration – RCM – in regard to protection and assistance for migrant boys, girls and adolescents. To promote a space for the establishment of links, information exchange and continuous dialogue, with the aim of fostering the development of effective actions for the comprehensive protection of boys, girls and adolescents in migration processes.

Regional Mechanism for the Comprehensive Protection of Migrant and Refugee Boys, Girls and Adolescents Definitions To identify specific protection needs according to profiles (unaccompanied or separated boy, girl or adolescent, victim of trafficking, refugee) Guiding Principles To facilitate addressing the topic at a regional level (best interest of the child, equality, the right to express an opinion, presumption of minority, etc.) Scope Protection throughout the entire migration cycle: before departure, in transit, in the country of destination and during return and reintegration.

Regional Mechanism for the Comprehensive Protection of Migrant and Refugee Boys, Girls and Adolescents Includes a framework for action that highlights definitions and guiding principles for the comprehensive protection of migrant boys, girls and adolescents. Designed as a guide, within the framework of the Ad Hoc Group, for discussion and dialogue to guide actions relating to the protection and assistance to migrant and refugee boys, girls and adolescents in the region. Suggests mechanisms for the effective protection and comprehensive assistance to boys, girls and adolescents in every phase of the migration process, from the moment of identification to reception in countries of destination and integration and return and reintegration into the country of origin, always safeguarding the rights and the best interest of the boy, girl or adolescent. Appendix

within the Framework of the Mechanism Protection prior to departure (prevention); Reception of foreign boys, girls and adolescents and immediate protection and assistance; Protection in integration processes; Protection in return processes; Protection in reception and reintegration processes in the country of origin. Actions to be Promoted within the Framework of the Mechanism

Actions within the framework are detailed below and examples are provided of the advances in implementing these actions at a national level.

Protection Actions Prior to Departure (Prevention) Actions to identify vulnerable situations Boys, girls and adolescents living on the streets Boys, girls and adolescents victims of child labour and the worst forms of child labour Boys, girls and adolescents whose families have migrated and who have stayed behind in the country of origin Boys, girls and adolescents in situations that place their life, physical integrity, liberty, etc. at risk

Best Practices at a National Level (Prevention) Addressing the topic with communities of nationals living abroad (US) (disseminating relevant materials through consulates) Launching a campaign on communication for development (preventing irregular migration with participation of boys, girls and adolescents –Children’s Parliament) Producing materials (radio, posters, video) A media plan Identifying communities with the highest irregular migration rates

Reception of Foreign Boys, Girls and Adolescents and Immediate Protection and Assistance Initial identification and appropriate protection Immediate Needs – Identifying Vulnerability Profiles – Identifying Identity and Nationality – Non-refoulement – Family Resource – Registration and Documentation – Search Systems Designating a legal guardian Finding family members Determining the best interest of the child

Best Practices at a National Level (Consular Protection and Repatriation) Systematization of consular protection and repatriation actions Consular capacity-building -Establishing consular offices -Hiring specialized officers (psychologists and lawyers) Request for consular notification upon identifying unaccompanied and separated migrant boys, girls and adolescents Monitoring reunification procedures for boys, girls and adolescents abroad

Best Practices at a National Level (Reception and Psychosocial Assistance) Removing family reunification from the judicial processes Systematizing assistance actions (psychosocial assistance protocols) Optimizing reception processes (reducing stress and anxiety) Procedures to motivate, identify the profiles of and select adolescents that are aspiring to a specific reintegration programme

Protection Actions in Integration Processes Specialized shelters Access to justice Designating a legal guardian Quality of life Access to basic services and rights Non-discrimination Issuing identity documents Extended, foster or adoptive families

Best Practices at a National Level (Reintegration and Integration) Adjusting and establishing specialized shelters School reintegration Inclusion into social programmes Competency-based Economies through the Formation of Enterprise (CEFE) Programme An inter-institutional agreement with Instituto Técnico de Capacitación y Productividad de Guatemala – INTECAP

Protection Actions in Reception and Reintegration Processes in the Country of Origin Security The right to express an opinion Finding a family Statistical records Assessing real integration needs Designating a legal guardian Vulnerability profiles The right to an identity Quality of life Treatment according to age (child) Education/school considering the cultural and religious identity Monitoring integration and reintegration processes Individualized assistance Safe return

The protection of boys, girls and adolescents is a responsibility that transcends national borders.

Thank you!