The plight of asylum seekers and immigrants is making news worldwide - but, in Belize, the Department of Immigration has been aloof, at best. Last year, 15 people were granted asylum - making it the first time in 20 years (!) that refugee status was granted to anyone in Belize.
And while that tentative, very measured approach is a government policy position - it seems the Prime Minister's wife wants them to relax that street policy somewhat.
Today, in an event arranged by the United Naitons High Commission on Refugees, she visited two groups of asylum seekers in Belmopan.
According to a release, quote, "The meetings were an opportunity for asylum seekers to speak with the Special Envoy about the limitations they face to integrate in their communities."
But, UNHCR is pushing also to have these seekers be made eligible to work while their cases are being reviewed. Here's more in video provided by the UNHCR:...
Andreas Wissner, UNHCR Belize
"Asylum seekers are not allowed to work. we are advocating that soon asylum seekers would be given at least temporary rights to work and to open small businesses so that they can sustain themselves and their families pending the adjudication of their refugee claims. So we are trying to work with the concern government departments to improve that situation and Mrs. Barrow visit today. hopefully will lead us in the right direction."
Kim Simpliss Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children
"I was able to meet with refugees from different Central American countries namely El Salvador and it was really an eye opener for me to listen to their plight I would say to see and to feel the desperation of many of these women, is really heart-breaking. I certainly feel the need to use my voice to advocate for this vulnerable set of people in our community. We have signed on to certain international agreements and I think that Belize has certain obligations to fulfil and hopefully someone will listen and something can be done."
The meetings were with students of English as a Second Language studying at the University of Belize and another meeting was with women at Help for Progress.
