MIRPS Signs Belize City Declaration During 7th Meeting

Belize, through its Ministry of Immigration, is proudly hosting the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Comprehensive Regional Framework for Protection and Solutions. This high-level gathering focuses on creating protections for displaced individuals throughout Central America and the Caribbean. Belize is one of the seven member states in this organization. After leading for eleven months as the interim president, Belize is now passing the torch to Costa Rica. Today’s session marked a significant milestone with the adoption of the Belize City Declaration. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Today, the member states of the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework came together to adopt the Belize City Declaration. This declaration is a big deal, as it reaffirms the commitment of the seven member states to boost protection and find solutions for displaced people across Central America and Mexico.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We are most delighted to host this important gathering where we stand in solidarity with refugees and forcibly displaced persons in Central America and Mexico. Your presence here is deeply appreciated and we are grateful for your commitment to this cause.”

 

Belize is proudly hosting the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Framework. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, over two million people in Central America and Mexico have been forced to leave their homes. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees praises this framework as a shining example of how the Global Compact on Refugees can be put into action.

 

Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

“The linkages that have already been mentioned between all these initiatives are critical as we continue to witness conflict, violence, natural disasters, and abuses, forcing so many people to flee their homes. And doing so using the same routes and means as migrants, hence the crucial importance to work on the many synergies of this initiatives. It is crucial to consider the needs of all people who are exposed to unimaginable dangers in their journey in search of safety. Clearly there is no one solution for all, but everyone regardless of their circumstances or status has human rights.”

 

Belize has been leading the regional organization since assuming the yearlong presidency in January. Yesterday, it handed over the pro tem presidency to Costa Rica. Through the declaration entered by member states, partnerships will be expanded to strengthen coordinated regional responses to displacement.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“In the southern part of Belize where we have the Garifuna, it is a small population, but they also have in the eighteen hundreds they were displaced from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They came here in what we call the Stann Creek District, and they asked the British if they could stay here in Belize. That is another population of migrants that came here to Belize. We have the black population who our former slaves who again were brought to Belize in many instances against their will. We have the east Indians who were brought here as indentured servants or laborers. So, Belize is a melting pot. I think it is one of the best examples where you could find that we have opened the door to migrants, immigrants, refugees and they have become a part of our society. It is estimated from early nineteen nineties, it is estimated that approximately fifteen percent of our resident population were form foreign born, a mix of migrants or refugees. I wish you would have the time to visit the Valley of Peace.”

 

Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Nestor Mendez, in his address to member states spoke of the organization contributions to providing technical knowledge and strengthening institutional capacities.

 

Nestor Mendez, Assistant Secretary General, OAS

“By the middle of this year, more than two point four million people have been forcibly displaced due to violence, insecurity, the effects of climate change, disasters and socioeconomic factors across and within Central America and the Caribbean. These are not just statistics, they are families, women, men, children, seeking protection and more than anything hope. Yet despite these challenges, the solidarity of the seven states, demonstrates what is possible when we work together. These sates have undertaken bold actions under their national plans to prioritize the integration of displaced persons.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“As we reflect on these achievements, let us recommit ourselves to the vision of MIRPS, a vision that stand united in its resolve to protect, assist and empower displaced persons.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.