Colombia Participates in Regional Summit on Migration

Colombia’s Foreign Minister pleaded for the welcoming of immigrants and their right to live with dignity in host countries during a summit to discuss the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection.

The Declaration is a non-legally binding agreement, signed by leaders from countries in the Americas, which aims to protect migrants in the region by safeguarding their human rights. It was launched at the Summit of The Americas in Los Angeles in June 2022.

Murillo referred to specific elements in the Declaration, such as regularization; the expansion of legal pathways, particularly regarding labor migration; socioeconomic integration; and the fight against criminal organizations behind human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

He pointed out, “Our purpose in this meeting is to strengthen a collective position to mitigate the structural causes of migration, seeking to eliminate inequalities, poverty gaps, social injustices and confront the adverse effects of climate change.”

The high-ranking official highlighted the importance of respecting migrant’s rights. He also called for assurances of their dignity, and emphasized the need to facilitate their social, economic, and cultural integration.

Additionally, Murillo mentioned a fifth component: “The formal participation of Civil Society and the Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, black and indigenous people, and peasants in the formal structure and architecture of the declaration is very important.”

At the same time, he assured that the Declaration vindicates the principle of shared responsibility in migration management since the Americas region includes countries of origin, transit, and destination of significant migratory flows.

How does Colombia respond to irregular immigrants?

The minister added that, in order to respond to the increasing irregular flows in this region, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation for the development of the country of origin, the assistance and humanitarian attention of people in transit, and the socioeconomic integration of migrants in the places of destination.

“Colombia’s experience in terms of temporary protection and regularization of more than 2.5 million migrants in very few years shows that it is possible to welcome migrants and offer them dignified life options.”

Within the framework of the high-level meeting, Colombia expressed its willingness to cooperate with other countries in the Americas and share its knowledge and experience acquired as a host, transit, and destination for immigrants in the region.