User:Yaritzalopez/Human rights in Costa Rica

Refugee Rights
Costa Rica has historically been notable in its protection and implementation of refugee rights, in accordance with its duty to the UN 1967 protocol on refugees, its intake high. This protocol necessitates the commitment of states to the intake of refugees fleeing political repression, under article 14 of the UNDHR and as outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention; Costa Rica is signatory to conventions regarding refugee rights. Costa Rica also takes part in the International Conference on Central American Refugees. Costa Rica's refugee policies have been characteristically open and accepting, although this has decreased in recent years

In 1979 over 150,000 refugees fled to Costa Rica, predominantly from Nicaragua, with smaller numbers arriving from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama, mainly fleeing political repression. This influx continued throughout the 1980s. Most notably, Costa Rica has upheld refugee's right to work, denoted in international law. This decreased to some degree by the influx of undocumented migrants, commonly referred to as “aliens”; negative stigma around refugees rose, partly due to a rise in crime and a reduction in the level of jobs available to Costa Ricans. As a result, restriction on work arose, such as Article 13 of the Labor Code of Costa Rica which states that any work force must be 90% Costa Rican. The right of a refugee to work decreased. Illegal immigrants often have greater access to employment than refugees.

Primary health care services were, and remain, accessible for refugees, upholding their human right to health. This is because documentation is not required under the Ministry of Health. This accessible health care partly stems from the fear that refugees bring diseases which will impact Costa Ricans if not treated. Education is also provided to refugees due to it being a human right, as well as the positive externality it has on Costa Rican society.

The influx of illegal immigrants over the past decades caused refugee rights to fall as negative stigma rose. As a result, Costa Rica has moved from being characteristically open and welcoming to refugees, to a society resistant to their presence.

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Bold: added updated from information from another article. (https://www.refugeesinternational.org/perspectives-and-commentaries/asylum-seekers-in-costa-rica-struggle-to-survive-as-new-decree-restricts-access-to-work/

''Costa Rica has a long-standing reputation for upholding refugee rights, historically noted for its open and accepting refugee policies in accordance with its commitments under the UN 1967 Protocol on Refugees and the 1951 Refugee Convention. Costa Rica's significant role in the International Conference on Central American Refugees further underscores its dedication to refugee protection.''

''In the late 20th century, Costa Rica received over 150,000 refugees, predominantly from Nicaragua, with additional influxes from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama, mainly fleeing from political repression. This trend continued through the 1980s, driven by regional conflicts. While Costa Rica has traditionally upheld the right to work for refugees as recognized in international law, recent decades have seen challenges including rising negative stigma and reduced job availability due to an influx of undocumented migrants, leading to heightened restrictions such as those in Article 13 of the Costa Rican Labor Code which mandates that any workforce must be 90% Costa Rican.''

''Despite, these challenges, Primary health care services were, and remain, accessible for refugees, upholding their human right to health. This is because documentation is not required under the Ministry of Health. This accessible health care partly stems from the fear that refugees bring diseases which will impact Costa Ricans if not treated. Education is also provided to refugees due to it being a human right, as well as the positive externality it has on Costa Rican society.''

'Legislative changes in November 2022 under President Rodrigo Chaves have introduced new challenges. A decree forming the country's refugee regulations now imposes significant barriers to work for asylum seekers, including prohibiting self-employment and requiring a job offer for work permit issuance. These measures mark a significant shift from previous laws that facilitated easier integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the labor market.'

This recent legislation has sparked concerns about its impact on Costa Rica's ability to effectively respond to the refugee crisis, potentially undermining its long history of progressive refugee policies and affecting the rights and welfare of asylum seekers within its borders.

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Costa Rica'', a nation with a long-standing reputation for upholding refugee rights, has been a beacon of hope for those seeking sanctuary. Its reputation is built on a foundation of open and accepting refugee policies, a testament to its commitments to t''he UN 1967 Protocol on Refugees and the 1951 Refugee Convention. The country's participation in the International Conference on Central American Refugees further solidifies its dedication to the cause of refugee protection.

In the late 20th century, Costa Rica received over 150,000 refugees, predominantly from Nicaragua, with additional influxes from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. The majority of refugees migrating to these areas were fleeing from political repression. This trend continued through the 1980s, driven by regional conflicts. Despite the challenges, Costa Rica has traditionally upheld the right to work for refugees as recognized in international law. Recent decades have seen challenges, including rising negative stigma and reduced job availability due to an influx of undocumented migrants. These challenges led to heightened restrictions such as those in Article 13 of the Costa Rican Labor Code, which mandates that any workforce must be 90% Costa Rican.

Despite these challenges, primary health care services were, and remain, accessible for refugees, upholding their human right to health. This is because documentation is not required under the Ministry of Health. This accessible health care, ''a testament to Costa Rica's commitment to human rights, has been helpful for many refugees. It partly stems from the fear that refugees bring diseases that will impact Costa Ricans if not treated, showcasing the country's dedication to public health.'' Education is also provided to because it is a human right, and is a positive externality for Costa Rican society.

Legislative changes in November 2022 under President Rodrigo Chaves have introduced new challenges. A decree forming the country's refugee regulations now imposes significant barriers to work for asylum seekers, including prohibiting self-employment and requiring a job offer for work permit issuance. These measures mark a significant shift from previous laws that facilitated easier integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the labor market.

This recent legislation has sparked concerns about its impact on Costa Rica's ability to effectively respond to the refugee crisis, potentially undermining its long history of progressive refugee policies and affecting the rights and welfare of asylum seekers within its borders.