Asylum

Despite the inroads made in bolstering the asylum system in recent years, challenges remain. Costa Rica does not apply the broader refugee definition contained in the 1984 Cartagena Declaration. Therefore, some persons unable to return to their countries of origin in a situation of safety and dignity, may find themselves without protection. Nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Cubans have been eligible to apply for the complementary protection category that began adjudication in February 2021. However, unless an extension or new category is announced, the universe of applicable applicants closed as on 15 December 2021, and all applications should have been lodged to date. 

Due to Costa Rica’s COVID-19 land border closures, the number of new asylum cases plunged from an average of 4,300/month to just 73/month; and the Refugee Unit office closures resulted in 28,000 people with pending formalization appointments at end 2020 and thousands of others with expired documentation. Land borders were eventually reopened, but the consequences of the suspension of the system have continued. To respond to this situation, which was causing asylum-seekers difficulty accessing certain rights, UNHCR supported the Refugee Unit with additional staff to provide quicker documentation for first time and renewals. The many changes in the interview dates and other processes due to the pandemic closure has contributed to a high rate of asylum-seekers missing appointments, primarily due to a lack of knowledge. UNHCR has been working  with the Migration Authority to rectify these gaps, such as through the provision of additional information dissemination methods and supporting greater outreach to communities. Starting in 2020, UNHCR has supported the Government with a new phase of the Quality Assurance Initiative (QAI), aimed at strengthening the quality and efficiency of the asylum system. UNHCR is also working with the authorities to carry out a digitalization project to improve the registration processes, including through the provision of a new database tailored for the asylum system in Costa Rica. This project is ongoing, and its full implementation will allow significant improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the asylum system. UNHCR will also continue to support the identification and implementation of other initiatives to reduce the current backlog, prevent a future one, and to strengthen all aspects of the procedures.