Original: Spanish
The “Borders of Solidarity and Safety” Programme
Borders are characterized as being areas of entry and transit, and sometimes of permanent stay and
return, for persons who are part of migratory movements, including those seeking international
protection.
In order to preserve borders as areas of safety and protection for people and States, it is proposed to
establish the “Borders of Solidarity and Safety” programme to be implemented through joint
cooperation among the State, UNHCR, other international organizations and civil society actors. The
programme will include the following actions:
(a) Develop, disseminate and implement guidelines for the identification, immediate assistance and
timely referral to the competent Government departments of persons in need of international
protection.
(b) Reinforce the presence in border areas of National Commissions for Refugees (CONAREs) or
equivalent bodies and other protection institutions in border areas.
(c) Design norms and operating procedures to introduce alternatives to administrative migratory
detention of asylum‐seekers, in particular for accompanied and unaccompanied children.
(d) Provide continued training for State officials working in border areas on the rights of persons, the
profiles of asylum‐seekers and refugees in situations of vulnerability and on the measures
adopted by the State in the implementation of the “Borders of Solidarity and Safety” programme.
(e) Carry out broad information and dissemination campaigns, both at border posts and in areas
along migratory routes, on the risks and dangers to which people are exposed when travelling as
part of mixed migratory movements and on the protection mechanisms that exist in each
country.
(f) Improve basic care and assistance infrastructure for asylum‐seekers and refugees, as well as
access to social and community services.
CHAPTER THREE
Comprehensive, Complementary and Sustainable Solutions
The subregional consultations highlighted the importance of achieving durable solutions for
refugees, particularly those living in protracted situations in host countries.
The three traditional solutions, voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement, together
with labour mobility programmes within the existing regional integration frameworks in Latin
America and the Caribbean, can be implemented in a joint, coordinated and complementary manner
in order to achieve the most suitable and sustainable solutions for the entire refugee population
through a comprehensive response.
The “Voluntary Repatriation” Programme
Voluntary repatriation is undoubtedly the preferred solution, since the aspiration of most refugees is
one day to return voluntarily to their country of origin in conditions of safety and dignity. This
solution was especially considered in the Andean subregional consultation and a number of
particularly important actions were recommended:
(a) Guarantee that voluntary repatriation is a free, individual and informed decision of refugees and
that it takes place in conditions of safety and dignity as part of a comprehensive durable
solutions strategy.
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