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Invisible Movements: Recommendation for Facilitating the Cross-Border Migration of Indigenous Peoples in the Caribbean

Thematic Area
Migrant protection and assistance
Year
2023
Country
Belize
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Language
English

In 2020, there were approximately 281 million international migrants in the world, representing 3.7 per cent of the global population. Moreover, migrants who belong to historically marginalized groups are often at risk of discrimination, stigmatization, violence, or difficulty accessing assistance when mobilizing across country borders, especially when they have irregular immigration status. Indigenous populations in the Americas and the Caribbean are an example of such a group that faces obstacles to their regular and humane migration conditions. Therefore, IOM conducted this study to examine the situation of cross-border movement within the region among indigenous peoples. This study focuses on the policies and legislation affecting the cross-border mobility and migration of indigenous peoples in the Caribbean. Using a human rights approach based on principles enshrined in regional and international instruments, it analyses specific case studies in different countries to provide examples of good practices, limitations, and opportunities for improvement.