In the Lima Declaration "Articulating Continental Dialogue for Comprehensive Attention to Migration in the Americas", the delegations attending the Conferencia Suramericana de Migraciones (CSM) [South American Migration Conference] established this mechanism for civil society participation, which was only recently possible through an observer status.

This achievement has been possible thanks to the joint work of several organisations interested in contributing to the dialogue with decision-makers and to which Jesuit Migration Service (SJM) Chile, Encuentros SJM Peru and the Jesuit Network with Migrants (RJM-LAC) have joined a total of 12 organisations to contribute proposals to this sub-regional space on migration issues from a human rights perspective.

The organisations participating in Lima are convinced that migration and its challenges can only be addressed collectively and in solidarity, honouring the high South American rights protection standards. Likewise, "we can say that our daily work allows us to see, almost in real-time, the large, medium, small or minuscule effects of migration policies and practices that shape the lives of those who are 'foreigners' in the land where they live. Our continuous presence on migration routes, borders and territories is the core of our experience and expertise. Our knowledge and skills differ from those of states and public administrations, but they are complementary."

In the Lima Declaration, the member countries of the CSM, an intergovernmental space that aims to achieve a regional migration policy, made specific commitments in its six working groups as well as the following:

1. They recognise migrants as subjects of rights and duties, committing themselves to guarantee the full protection and promotion of their rights at all stages of the migration process.
2. They emphasise the importance of the integration of migrants in host countries, as well as the promotion of policies and programs that facilitate their active participation in host societies, also recognising their contribution to economic, social and cultural development.
3. They underline that residence and migration regularisation are essential to integrate migrants effectively through transparent and accessible processes.
4. They recognise that the CSM is the main space on migration issues in South America and therefore invite the promotion of effective cooperation and coordination between existing fora and mechanisms, avoiding the creation of new spaces to address this issue.
5. They recognise that the lack of legal frameworks for migration regularisation can lead to the social, labour and economic exclusion of migrants and, in extreme situations, to their marginalisation, informality, labour exploitation and xenophobia, representing significant obstacles to integration and well-being.
6. They seek to eliminate any expression of discrimination against migrants and their families under international law by advocating for a positive public discourse on the contributions they make to transit and host countries.
7. They will deepen comprehensive strategies to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
8. They recognise the importance of funding by States, agencies, banks and international organisations to address the structural and multidimensional causes of migration flows and to increase the resilience of populations in countries and communities of origin.

The full CSM Declaration can be found at this link. 

Source: redjesuitaconmigranteslac.org