Central America (Photo: Wikimedia)
A report released today has revealed that between 2008 and 2012 17,129 refugees were registered in the area known as the ‘North Triangle’ in Central America made up of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
Of this total, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) confirmed that around 12,000 have officially applied for asylum.
Fernando Protti, head of the UNHCR, stated that those who are “fleeing” these countries are doing so because of “violence generated by organised crime, drug trafficking and gangs”, signalling that 65% of those seek refuge in the US, 17% in Canada and 6% in Mexico.
Protti pointed out that of 17,129 refugees, 47.6% (8,153) are Salvadorians, 37.2% (6,372) are Guatemalan, and 15.2 % (2,604) are of Honduran descent.
He stated that it is “concerning” that the majority of applications have been victims of armed violence, as well as from those persecuted through interfamily violence, discrimination or due to their sexuality.
The ambassador from the EU in Tegucigalpa, Ketil Karlsen, highlighted that drug trafficking and gangs have “increased a culture of violence” in Central America and as a consequence have “forced thousands to migrate to other countries”. Karlsen advised the areas’ governments to “initiate actions” that strengthen “mechanisms of protection” for people and to “prevent” violence. In addition he added that to prevent the displacement of people the US also must promote economic development that will help to “diminish poverty, inequality and create employment opportunities for young people”.
The Honduran Vice President of Justice and Human Rights, Martha Savillón, said that the problem of refugees and internally displaced peoples (IDPs) is an issue “made invisible” by authorities. She emphasised that it remains necessary to implement public policies to “prevent” forced displacement and to protect the victims of violence.
There are currently more than 45m refugees and IDPs in the world, which according to statistics from UNHCR is the highest figure in 20 years.
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