Advocating migrants' rights in Chile : embracing opportunities and anticipating challenges

Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University of Rotterdam, NL

Abstract

Structural and institutional constraints faced by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) make it difficult to advocate on behalf of Peruvian migrants in Chile. These constraints have provoked reactive rather than proactive strategic responses by NGOs in their promotion of migrants’ rights. In addition, traditional notions of citizenship that exclude migrants have gone unchallenged by NGOs in Chile. Consequently, these organizations function as short-term service providers rather than as long-term advocates. This policy brief is based on research carried out in Santiago de Chile between 2008 and 2009. It suggests that international legal regimes and a culture of human rights in Chile provide many possibilities for Chilean NGOs to advocate on behalf of migrants’ rights and to confront the Chilean government’s regulation of those rights.

Description

Keywords

CIVIL SOCIETY, MIGRANT ASSIMILATION, LABOUR POLICY, MIGRATION POLICY, HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNMENT POLICY, CHILE, PERU

Citation

DOI