Colombian refugees marginalized:
Jesuit Refugee Service Report

From Forced Migration Review, January 2005
www.fmreview.org

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has drawn attention to the plight of Colombian refugees in Ecuador and measures taken by the Venezuelan authorities to block entry to those fleeing intensifying violence in Colombia. There has been a substantial increase in the flow of refugees entering Ecuador. According to the Ecuadorian Immigration Police over 375,000 Colombians entered Ecuador between 2000 and 2003.

Human rights organizations estimate that there may be an additional 250,000 undocumented Colombians living in Ecuador. Due to misinformation and fear of reprisals from armed groups, few apply for asylum. Of the 27,000 Colombians who have done so, only 28% have been recognized as refugees. Denied protection, Colombians in Ecuador’s urban slums are forced to compete with locals for jobs and access to health, education, electricity and water services. They suffer discrimination and xenophobia just for being Colombian.

Their situation has been worsened by new regulations. Colombians wishing to enter Ecuador are now required to present a judicial document proving they do not have a criminal record. Those who apply for asylum must produce a validated identity document. JRS points out this is not only an unrealistic requirement for somebody fleeing for their life but is also a contravention of the international convention relating to the status of refugees and the1984 Cartagena Declaration.

While the Ecuadorian government demands that Ecuadorians be treated fairly and in line with international human rights law in the US and Europe, it denies these rights to Colombians in Ecuador.

The JRS report is available (in Spanish) at www.ildis.org.ec/migracion5.pdf