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UNHCR country offices

This report’s reflections regarding the Venezuelan case come from analyzing these four experiences as well as from more than 60 interviews with officials and ex-officials from UNHCR, human rights defenders, international NGO representatives, UN officials, and ex-officials from public institutions in the countries studied. | Mat Reding, Unsplash

“Protecting Human Rights on the Ground,” a report on UNHCR country offices

This research is intended to offer tools to the Venezuelan human rights movement, to other civil society organizations, and to States who have an interest in the establishment of a UNHCR office in Venezuela.

Por: DejusticiaSeptember 28, 2020

AlertaVenezuela (Venezuela), in conjunction with the Center for Law, Justice, and Society, Dejusticia (Colombia) and the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University (USA) present the report, “Protecting Human Rights on the Ground. Case studies on the origin and development of UNHCR country offices and their relevance for the situation in Venezuela.” 

Through a comparative analysis of the experiences of the UNHCR country offices in Cambodia, Colombia, Guatemala, and Tunisia, this study identifies processes, strategies, lessons, and practices that may be applicable to the situation in Venezuela. All four offices have different characteristics and exist in different contexts, but their analysis reveals relevant elements for the Venezuelan case.

In Cambodia, the office played an important role in strengthening civil society, which was almost nonexistent following many years of dictatorship, genocide, and armed conflict. In Colombia, the office developed a strong presence throughout the country through the creation of 15 local offices. In Guatemala, the office adapted to meet the needs of the public agenda, ultimately fighting against corruption and impunity. In Tunisia, early on the office emphasized issues relating to poverty and social, economic, and cultural rights.

This report’s reflections regarding the Venezuelan case come from analyzing these four experiences as well as from more than 60 interviews with officials and ex-officials from UNHCR, human rights defenders, international NGO representatives, UN officials, and ex-officials from public institutions in the countries studied.

Research reveals that, unlike other experiences, the negotiations between UNHCR and the Venezuelan state have been confidential. The report recommends that to ensure the process’s transparency and to develop a solid foundation for the establishment of a UNHCR office in Venezuela, future negotiations should be conducted with the participation of Venezuelan civil society as well as with other States interested in the matter.

This research is intended to offer tools to the Venezuelan human rights movement, to other civil society organizations, and to States who have an interest in the establishment of a UNHCR office in Venezuela. Additionally, it is meant to assist in the design of a realistic and coordinated strategy for advocates to effectively engage with the UN’s human rights system, governments, other interested States, and donors. This is the first comparative research study in this field, indicating that its findings could be useful for other audiences beyond Venezuela.

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