The application of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees to Venezuelans in Brazil: An analysis of the decision-making process by the National Committee for Refugees

• Published in: Latin American Law Review 2020-08, Vol.1 (5), p.121-137
• Main Authors: Cintra de Oliveira Tavares, Natalia, Pureza Cabral, Vinicus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Appeals; Brazil; Cartagena Declaration; Civil society; Claims; Committees; Courts; Decision making; Displaced persons; Forced Displacement; Human rights; Judicial reviews; Judiciary; Law; Memories; Official documents; Political asylum; Politics; Refugees; Venezuela
• ISSN: 2619-4880; 2619-4880
• DOI: 10.29263/lar05.2020.06

Although the outflow of Venezuelan nationals represents one of the greatest challenges which has affected South America so far, the Brazilian National Committee for Refugees (CONARE) took over 3 years to decide whether or not to apply the Cartagena Declaration, progressively demonstrating unwillingness to provide international protection to Venezuelans and developing migratory routes as alternatives. As the main decision-making court in Brazil for asylum claims, this study looks at the route followed by CONARE to come to a decision and its possible consequences for asylum seekers. Although CONARE did apply the Cartagena Declaration in asylum claims made by Venezuelans, it was regarded as subsidiary to the 1951 Convention. Consequently, the committee decided not to apply a prima facie recognition, and demonstrated deep concern to asylum seekers’ criminal background. This investigation uses primary sources, such as official documents and field memories, and secondary sources, such as reports by other researchers and organizations. Aunque la migración de venezolanos constituye uno de los más grandes desafíos que ha enfrentado Suramérica, el Comité Nacional para los Refugiados (CONARE) de Brasil tardó más de tres años para decidir si aplicaba o no la Declaración de Cartagena, con lo que mostró su continua reticencia a proporcionar protección internacional a los venezolanos migrantes, al mismo tiempo que se desarrollaron vías migratorias alternativas. CONARE es el principal tribunal que decide solicitudes de asilo en Brasil. Este artículo investiga la trayectoria seguida por su proceso decisorio y sus posibles consecuencias para los solicitantes de asilo. Aunque CONARE aplicó al final la Declaración de Cartagena a los casos de solicitantes de asilo venezolanos, la consideró subsidiaria a la Convención de 1951, con lo que decidió no aplicar el reconocimiento prima facie y mostró una intensa preocupación por los antecedentes penales de los solicitantes de asilo. Este estudio usa fuentes primarias, como documentos oficiales y diarios de campo, y fuentes secundarias, como informes de otros investigadores y otras organizaciones.