US and Belize Mark First Anniversary of Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States and Belize have issued a joint statement to mark the first anniversary of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection “to take stock of our collective achievements during the first year of this new responsibility-sharing framework.”

Belize Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at first anniversary of the Los Angeles Declaration (via CMC)A joint statement said on Saturday that both countries hosted a Ministerial Meeting of “endorsing countries… to discuss how we can build on these efforts together in the coming years to manage migration effectively and collaboratively.

During the Ministerial Meeting, the endorsing countries reaffirmed their “shared goal to promote stability and assistance for communities most impacted by migrant and refugee flows; expand lawful pathways for migration and international protection; and humanely manage borders.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Belize Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay called on all endorsing countries of the Los Angeles Declaration to “promote respect for the human rights and dignity of all, regardless of their immigration status, and [to] continue increasing access to protection throughout the region for those in need.”

“You all know we have a 100 million people on the move around the world, forcibly displaced from their homes, and in our own hemisphere about 20 million,” Blinken said, adding  “That’s the definition of a challenge that no one country can bear or solve alone, and we all joined this declaration so that none of us has to solve it alone.  We are bound together and in this together.

Blinken said the United States and Belize were working along with civil society and international human rights organisations to transform the declaration’s principles into real action.

“Together, we are working to make migration safer, more orderly, more humane, while strengthening international protections and taking action against smugglers and criminal gangs.

The US Secretary of State said that “in so doing, we’re improving the lives of millions of migrants, of refugees, of stateless people, other forcibly displaced peoples, as well as citizens and host communities throughout our hemisphere.”

Speaking at the meeting, Belize Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay said it was important for both countries to “come together to engage in constructive dialogue concerning the issue of irregular migration in our region, to review the progress that we have made on our shared commitments, and to work towards developing long-term comprehensive migration policies.”

The Belize Foreign Minister said early data for 2023 highlights that between January and March, about 87,390 people on their way to the US made the trek across the Darién Gap, on the isthmus of Panama, which connects North and South America.

He said organized crime, corruption, and the limited capacity of countries to provide basic services have all contributed to an escalation of violence and insecurity, leading to an increased trend of forced displacement.

“Respecting human rights in the context of migration is not just a moral imperative but also a legal obligation under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments.

He said while the Americas, including the Caribbean, has made significant progress in recognizing and protecting the rights of migrants, “challenges remain.”

“Migrants in the Americas continue to face obstacles that impede their access to justice, education, health care and decent work,” Courtenay said.

“Discrimination, xenophobia and human trafficking are persistent problems that demand our attention and collective action.  It is our duty to address these issues and work towards more inclusive and equitable societies.”

To effectively address the challenges associated with migration and promote the respect for human rights, the Belize Foreign Minister said “a multifaceted approach” is needed which includes the strengthening of legal frameworks and policies, dismantling of criminal networks and ensuring the protection of migrants’ rights.