In 2004, Argentina became the first country to pass a federal bill (Law 25,871) which included the right to migrate as a human right together with other rights granted to migrants regardless of their administrative situation; in addition, it deployed a massive regularization policy and other initiatives such us a Migrants’ Ombudsman or tutors for child asylum seekers. Other Latin American countries seem to have followed this trend by recognizing the human right to migrate (Uruguay and Ecuador in 2008; Bolivia in 2013) or key human rights for migrants (Mexico in 2013; Brazil in 2017), within a process of mutual interaction and support from regional human rights institutions as well as civil society. However, during the last four years a regressive policy took place in Argentina and in addition, the pandemic highlighted the weakest areas of such a human rights policy, namely access to social security and documentation.

In spite of regressions and pending challenges, is the case of Argentina a cornerstone for a ‘new age’ for migration in Latin America? What might be the impact at a global level? The talk will address the question by reviewing the main elements of the Argentine human rights-based migration policy as well as their challenges and recent features, the influence of human rights standards from the HR Inter-American system and their domestic (in both legal frameworks and policies) enforcement.

Lecture via Zoom:

Please join the lecture via Zoom here.

Meeting ID: 940 9390 9192
Passcode: 897449