Uruguay - IOM Uruguay and the country’s National Human Rights Institute (INDDHH by its Spanish acronym) this week signed a cooperation agreement to work together on human trafficking and migrant smuggling issues.

In the past few years the South American nation has seen an increase in the number of migrants arriving from within the continent and beyond.  This has marked a turning point for migration in Uruguay, which between 1970 and 2000 was a country of origin for migrants, with its nationals looking for economic opportunities outside its borders.

The increased flow of immigrants has brought new challenges for officials and civil society organizations working with recently-arrived migrants, who can be vulnerable to sexual and labor exploitation.

The 2011 census reports an estimated 77,000 migrants living in Uruguay, which represents 2.4% of the total population.

The most recent arrivals hail from countries in the western hemisphere, primarily Argentina and Brazil, and from Europe, mainly Italy and Spain. But the largest number has arrived from the Dominican Republic. 

According to National Migration Directorate, a total of 1,870 Dominicans arrived in the country in 2013 - a 31.3% increase on the previous year (1,285.)  So far this year, immigration officials have registered 2,500 arrivals from the Caribbean nation.

Since 2011, Uruguayan migrants have been returning home to take advantage of the country’s improved economic opportunities.  Last year 2,242 returned, the majority from Spain, followed by the United States, Argentina and Italy.  Almost 1,500 of those who returned in 2013 settled in the capital Montevideo.

“Migration to Uruguay is on the rise. There are new laws and regional accords and a government policy centered on human rights for everyone, including migrants.  This agreement will allow IOM and National Human Rights Institute to work together to train government officials and civil society on migration-related issues, as well as human rights,” said Diego Beltrand, IOM Regional Director for South America.

Work under the new agreement will also include research on human trafficking and migrant smuggling at the national and regional level, joint analysis of current migration policies, awareness raising among the general public to prevent xenophobia or racism, and providing access to the justice system for migrants.

For more information, please contact

Alba Goycoechea
IOM Montevideo
Email: agoycoechea@iom.int
Tel: +598 2 916.80.43