Abstract

Based on the premise that massive influxes of Venezuelans might overwhelm their asylum systems, South American host States have resorted to ‘Temporary Protection or Stay Arrangements’ (TPSAs) as an uncoordinated but pragmatic response in times of regional hardship. As the Venezuelan situation deteriorated, however, a May 2019 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Guidance Note encouraged host States to apply their extended refugee definitions in tandem with prima facie refugee status determination (PFRSD), an expedited procedure that can prevent the overburdening of asylum capacities. Despite the availability of a more favourable approach, host States have continued to rely on TPSAs, raising questions about whether they truly intend to adopt a regionally coordinated plan, as agreed in the Quito Process. Drawing primarily on domestic refugee legislation and UNHCR’s ‘Guidelines on International Protection No 11’, the article argues that host States’ motivation to provide temporary protection is not so much related to the potential overburdening of their asylum systems but rather to the long-term commitments that would come with the granting of refugee status. It is shown that PFRSD is already regulated in the national laws of four South American States, with the potential of turning into a regional centralized response, but its application remains largely ignored. The article ultimately serves as a reminder for South American governments that displaced Venezuelans do not need temporary humanitarian visas as they are, first and foremost, entitled to legal protection under domestic refugee law.

中文翻译：

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南美对委内瑞拉外逃的反应：区域合作的精神？

摘要

基于委内瑞拉人大量涌入可能使他们的避难系统不堪重负的前提，南美东道国诉诸“临时保护或住宿安排”（TPSA）作为在区域困难时期的不协调但务实的应对措施。但是，由于委内瑞拉局势恶化，2019年5月的联合国难民事务高级专员（难民署）《指导说明》鼓励东道国将其扩展的难民定义与表面观点一并应用难民身份确定（PFRSD），这是一种可以避免庇护能力负担过重的加急程序。尽管可以采用更优惠的方法，但东道国仍继续依赖TPSA，对它们是否真正打算通过《基多进程》所商定的区域协调计划提出了疑问。该文章主要借鉴国内难民立法和难民署的“国际保护准则第11号”，认为东道国提供临时保护的动机与其潜在的庇护系统负担过多有关，而与长期承诺无关这将与给予难民身份有关。结果表明，PFRSD已在南美四个州的国家法律中得到规范，可能会变成区域性的集中应对措施，但其应用仍被很大程度上忽略。这篇文章最终提醒南美各国政府，流离失所的委内瑞拉人不需要临时的人道主义签证，因为他们首先有权根据国内难民法获得法律保护。