Brazil – Following an agreement signed between IOM and the United Nations Development Programme, IOM recently initiated the implementation of a project together with the Department of Foreigners Affairs of the Ministry of Justice of Brazil to develop policies to promote the human rights of migrants.

“IOM’s work will begin with the mapping of all relevant stakeholders from government and civil society, along with the expertise and services being provided to migrants.  Based on these findings, IOM will prepare recommendations on the areas that need strengthening,” explains Diego Beltrand, IOM Regional Director for South America.

Data gathering is already underway, and the mapping is expected to be carried within the next four months.  Institutions involved in migration issues from civil society and public sector, including academic entities and migrants’ associations are expected to participate.  

With the information compiled, IOM will bring together all relevant stakeholders for in-depth discussions that are expected to yield a series of recommendations to policy makers to ensure that migrants’ rights are included in the country’s new migration law.

IOM’s contribution also includes a study of the current migration law and policies, to identify gaps in order for Brazil to respond to today’s migration challenges.

As the largest economy in Latin America and the second largest in the Western Hemisphere, and with two major sporting events on the horizon – the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2015, Brazil is facing major migration challenges.

“The current migration legislation dates from a totally different political and economic reality, and does not respond to the needs faced by Brazil today, including protection of the human rights of migrants and their integration, as well as combatting potential discrimination or acts of xenophobia against migrants,” adds Beltrand.

Official data from the Ministry of Justice confirms a total of 1,589,502 foreigners living in the country.  In 2010, the number of regular migrants living in Brazil was 961,877.  A recent study indicates that between 2006 and 2011 Brazil saw an increase in the number of employment visas, especially for temporary employment, from 17,056 in 2006 to 66,769 in 2011.

The main countries of origin of migrants arriving in Brazil are mainly the neighbouring countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.  But migrants also are arriving in Brazil from as far away as Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.

The country is also welcoming back its nationals who had migrated, mainly to the United States, Spain and Portugal, and have now decided to return home.  Although the Department of Foreigners’ Affairs reports that it is not possible to put a figure on the number of irregular migrants, it estimates that the total number does not surpass 100,000 persons.

For more information please contact

Jorge Peraza
IOM Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 (11) 5219-2033
Email: jperaza@iom.int