Topic: Xenophobia and Racial legislations
Country: Chile
Southern South America has progressively advanced towards relatively greater political stability over the past years. Yet, some countries in Southern South America continue to face security problems and socio-economic difficulties which have affected the local integration of some 8,800 refugees and asylum-seekers. During the commemoration of the Cartagena Declaration in Mexico, an action plan was adopted in which Latin American countries commit themselves to enhance international refugee protection, as well as consider the reception of resettlement refugees as an act of solidarity.
In light of these challenges, UNHCR has doubled its efforts in helping refugees achieve self-reliance through employment and micro-credit schemes initiated in 2002 and the delegate of Chile is very grateful to UNHRC for this. With the support of UNHCR, refugees in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile have been able to set up or expand internet cafés, bars, food stands, and the production and sale of clothes and jewellery.
The Country has also worked towards expanding the number of institutions willing to provide refugees with the same services which are provided to the local population, for example, vocational and language training.
Most of the asylum-seekers came from Africa (Angola, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and Latin America (Colombia, Cuba and Peru). Overall in the region, there has been an increase in the number of Colombian asylum-seekers arriving in south America.
In Chile the number of asylum seekers have doubled due to an increase in the number of Columbian asylum seekers.
In spite of the economic difficulties Chile continues to receive refugees under their resettlement programmes. These resettled refugees receive assistance in basic necessities, housing, language and vocational training, and support in establishing micro-businesses.
Indigenous Chileans suffer widespread discrimination