Solutions to the Nicaraguan Refugee Crisis in Costa Rica

Refugees and forced Migration

There has been an extraordinary increasing number of displaced people around the world, the dominant part of which is in low-income countries with limited assets. This paper examines a contemporary refugee crisis and a political solution for Nicaraguans migrating and seeking asylum in Costa Rica. This paper aims to find solutions that enable these displaced people to experience their lives in respect and harmony. These results can come from using one of the “durable solution of the United Nations, including voluntary repatriation, resettlement, or integration” (UNHCR 2018). The Nicaraguan refugee crisis in Costa Rica can best be solved by using one of the United Nations’ “durable solutions,” voluntary repatriation. Nicaraguans being awarded voluntary repatriation will provide reconciliation, inclusive with physical, legal, and material safety.

As many Nicaraguans fill Costa Rica’s country, a refugee crisis is developing. They are looking for shelter, employment, and asylum from an expanding political crisis in their homeland. Nicaragua’s present political emergency started April 18, 2018 with challenges in the capital Managua as the administration of “President Daniel Ortega, declared increments in government managed savings such as social security taxes alongside cuts in services” (Garvin 2018). However, after that incident, on May 30, 2018, the day mothers are celebrated in Nicaragua, is reported to be the day of most deaths took place. Also, “six human rights defenders were arrested and detained near the country’s border within Costa Rica” (UN News 2018). In Nicaragua, police working along with expert government furnished gatherings have murdered, seized, and tormented nonconformists and activists in a precise exertion to smash hostile to government demonstrations that ejected in April. “In excess of 300 individuals have been slaughtered, and thousands sent into exile” (Kahn 2018). In testimony gathered by Human Rights Watch, “detainees have been subject to beatings, waterboarding, electric shocks, and rape” (HRW 2018). Following a recent report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “the human rights body has documented allegations of electrocution, barbed wire lacerations, beatings of steel tubes and strangulation against protesters across the country, among others” (HRW 2018). The Nicaraguan Human Rights Association has reported that 595 people have also disappeared (Anadolu Agency 2018). Data from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Costa Rican authorities, “8,000 requests have been received since April and 15,000 more are pending as the administration is over – extended” (Anadolu Agency 2018). Furthermore, the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health expert has ended somewhere around 135 specialists, assistants and other well – being workers from various open emergency clinics across Nicaragua, as indicated by the Nicaraguan Medical Association (HRW 2018). The releases give the impression that they restrain well – being experts and pursue government efforts to restrict access to medical treatment for many injured anti – government protesters. President Daniel Ortega’s, government has responded forcefully to protesters, abusing human rights. On the website of Human Rights Watch, in a video, I observed the use of live munitions against protesters, the illegal arrest of people without a warrant, and the arbitrary charge of terrorism. Nicaraguans getting awarded with voluntarily repatriation in Costa Rica relies on refugees dream of going home. According to NPR news, Cruz who stays in the refugee camp in Costa Rica said, “He hopes there will be international help to removing Ortega because so many of us – all we want to do is go home and soon” (Kahn 2018).

The UN Human Rights Council and the international network must particpate to forestall this emergency from plunging into a deeper social and political disorder. “The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international agencies manages helping refugees return to their homelands and helping them rebuild their lives” (UNHCR 2018). So, “UNHCR approaches states to permit Nicaraguans access to their region and accommodate them with access to the asylum procedure and worldwide security as required” (UNHCR 2018). That is, other countries need to help support for freedom and democracy in Nicaragua. Ortega’s actions should involve ensuring full responsibility for human rights violations and abuse, empowering unfortunate victims to make reparations and direct reality expertise. The best way to tackle Nicaragua’s ongoing emergency is with new elections that would allow Nicaraguans to select a new government. “Nicaraguans ‘ migration to Costa Rica has deep historical roots in economic developments in the nineteenth century, including the coffee industry in Costa Rica, railway construction and the establishment of the multinational banana industry” (Fouratt 2017). One positive thing about Nicaraguans escape to Costa Rica is monetary development can be continued. Another positive is that Nicaraguans are getting away from a life-threatening crisis. Running from one’s country is an awful difficulty, yet the sentiments of patriotism and energy are progressively essential to being alive and safe. The people of Nicaragua do not have to live with the abuse of their human rights. Not exclusively does moving to Costa Rica offer a superior way of life, it offers conceivable opportunities to fill opening and holes in abilities can be filled. Migration likewise unites everyone socially and culturally. “Costa Rica is home to two thirds of all regional migrants, of which Nicaraguans are the largest group” (Fourhatt 2017). Thus, the percentage is high that refugees may not experience considerable difficulties assimilating.

Conversely, the Nicaraguan influx has created a crisis for Costa Rica. The migration bureaucracy threatens to collapse under pressure and can turn public opinion against the President of Costa Rica. “It can complicate the president’s work,” said Costa Rica’s Vice Minister of the Interior (Semple 2018). Local politicians have raised the possibility for Nicaraguan criminals to demand more police officers and greater financial assistance from the federal government. Vast developments of individuals lead to greater safety observation. Moreover, “border police are overwhelmed, and the size of the classroom has grown by about a third” (Semple 2018). Likewise, growth in population can put pressure on public services, and long – term unemployment can lead to criminal activities. Also, problems of integration and friction with local people may occur. However, the positive outcome dominates the disadvantages of the voluntary repatriation of Nicaraguans.

The Nicaraguan refugee crisis in Costa Rica can best be solved using one of the United Nations’ “durable solutions,” voluntary repatriation. Once conditions have turned out to be safe, the general population can welfare from external help or return to their place country, from their own unrestricted choice. Exiles are deliberately returned to safety and pride where conditions are granted that provides compromise, comprehensive physical, legitimate and material well – being. Voluntary repatriation consists of “observing the well – being and prosperity of returnees; supporting national efforts to build legal and legal position for compromise; supporting recovery, recreation, and advancement; encouraging reasonable reintegration” (UNHCR). The UN General Assembly has attested to UNHCR’s ability to advance, encourage the intentional repatriation of displaced persons and recognizing a supportable return, has increased from its order to incorporate aid for their restoration and management of the results of their return (UNHCR). Moreover, the UNHCR Official Board of trustees insists on universal standards and models to oversee the deliberate repatriation procedure and its central components. Ensuring a sustainable return, with the help of the universal network, is the basic duty of the nations of the beginning and to ensure the return of displaced persons to security and respect and legitimate national frameworks, seeking to promote free and educated decision making and to prepare support for deliberate repatriation (High Commissioner UN). The main reason that Nicaraguans began massive migration was because citizens disagreed with political opinion and feared their lives. For these people in need, being provided with physical security is a humanitarian beginning. Including legal well – being, for example, the presence of components to change human rights abuses, including the free legal executive. Voluntary repatriation will allow those who escaped mistreatment to have unbiased access to administrations such as well – being administrations, training, and so on while in Costa Rica. Despite approaching survival methods and essential administrations at the beginning of the return period, such as shelter, food, well – being and access to work openings. Nicaraguans who are granted voluntary repatriation will provide reconciliation, including physical, legal and material safety.        

Works Cited

• “Anadolu Agency.” Egypt Halts Operations at Gaza Border Crossing: Official www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/un-eyes-support-for-nations-hosting-nicaraguan-refugees/1219313Americas/un-eyes-support-for-nations-hosting-Nicaraguan-refugees/1219313.
• Fouratt, C. E. (2017). Love for the land: Remittances and care in a Nicaraguan transnational community. Latin American, Research Review, 52(5), 793-802.
• Garvin, G., & Garvin, G. (2018, May 05). In Nicaragua, the political battle is moving from the streets to the negotiating table. Retrieved from https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article210129639.html
• High Commissioner for refugees, U. N. (1996). Voluntary Repatriation: International Protection [Pdf]. Geneva.
• Kahn, Carrie. “Nicaraguan Refugee Crisis Growing in Central America.” NPR, NPR, 23 Aug. 2018, www.NPR.org/2018/08/23/641359728/Nicaraguan-refugee-crisis-growing-in-central-america.
• SEMPLE, K. (2018). Nicaraguans fleeing a crisis create one for Costa Rica. New York, Times, 168(58094), 10-10. Nicaragua’s Chief of Torture Center promoted. (2018, September 12). Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/11/nicaraguas-chief-torture-center-promoted.
• UNHCR, Voluntary Repatriation: Global Consultations on International Protection. UN Doc. EC/, GC/02/5, 25.
• UN News Service, Nicaragua: UN condemns loss of lives in protest-related violence; calls on Government to allow in UN rights monitors, 1 June 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5b83c6c44. Html [accessed 16 October 2018]