1. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Update on the International Protection of Refugees in RCM Member Countries

2. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Regional Trends - Armed conflict in Colombia: - Average of 200,000 newly displaced persons per year - More than 500,000 people have sought international protection abroad - 3.6 million Colombians of concern to UNHCR (2006) - Refugees from Latin America and Caribbean predominantly seek for protection in countries of the Americas

3. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Regional Trends -United States of America: major recipient of new asylum seekers among industrialized countries (49,200) - Canada: number of asylum claims continued to rise in 2007 (28,300)

4. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Implementing Regional Strategies Canada: financial contribution to UNHCR`s programs and operations in Latin America and the Mexico Plan of Action

5. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Strengthening of Normative Frameworks -Nicaragua: Discussion of legislative bill specifically concerning the protection of refugees before National Assembly -Panama: adoption of Law No. 298 allowing refugees who have lived in the country for more than 10 years to have access to a permanent residence; drafting of bylaws of Law No. 3 - United States of America: new law amending the application of “material support” concept

6. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Operative framework -Mexico: appointment of 68 Child Protection Officers (National Institute for Migration) - Nicaragua: arrival of 49 asylum seekers by sea and deployment of two Eligibility Officers from UNHCR Regional Office in Mexico

7. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Training on International Refugee Law -Mexico: new law on trafficking in persons provides for training of civil servants in fields of human rights and refugee law - Organization of American States (OAS): special session on current issues of international refugee law addressed to permanent missions to OAS (January 29, 2008, Washington DC)

8. Meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration Tela, Honduras, 6 -7 May 2008 Durable Solutions - United States of America: increasing reception of Iraqi refugees through resettlement program - Chile and Brazil: Palestine refugees began arriving through “Solidarity Resettlement” programs