The Government's decree granting a Temporary Resident Permit (PTP) to Venezuelan citizens in a vulnerable situation in Peruvian territory has been regarded "an example for the region" by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
In a release, IACHR considers "the PTP represents an example for the region of how States can protect migrants who are in a vulnerable situation by regularizing migration."
Likewise, the measure "underscores the humanitarian nature of Peru and its memory and gratitude for the measures Venezuela and other countries adopted to benefit Peruvians who emigrated decades ago."
In this sense, IACHR Commissioner Margarette May Macaulay highlighted it is critical that States provide legal and safe channels for people to migrate, particularly "at a time when the building of walls and the closure of borders is being encouraged."
She added States must also "promote regularization of migration for those who have been forced to recur to irregular migration channels."
IACHR called on Organization of American States (OAS) member States to follow in Peru's footsteps and adopt similar measures to protect Venezuelan migrants.
PTP
Granted by the National Superintendence of Migrations, the Temporary Resident Permit validates a holder's regular immigration status in the country and is valid for one year.
After this period, it can automatically be extended until the entry into force of the Immigration Law or until the political situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela returns to normal.
To date, Peru's Migrations Office has received over 3,000 PTP requests from Venezuelan citizens, as well as from foreign citizens with Peruvian children.
PTP is in line with the recommendations made by the IACHR in a press release on January 25, 2017, in which the Commission expressed its concern over the increasing number of Venezuelans who have been forced to migrate to other countries in the region as a means of survival.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area.
(END) NDP/DHT/MVB