Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica presents Protocol for the restoration of the educational rights of victims of human trafficking

 
Costa Rica
5 September, 2019

 

As of Thursday August 29, educational centers in Costa Rica have an “Action protocol for the restoration of rights and access to the Costa Rican education system for victims and survivors of the crime of human trafficking and their dependents.”

This is a general guiding instrument developed by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) with technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM Costa Rica) and is directed toward the institution’s teaching and administrative personnel. Its objective is to guarantee access to the educational system and to restore the right to education for victim-survivors of human trafficking and their dependents.

“The launch of this protocol represents a very important step for MEP, because it ensures an environment of inclusion that does not re-victimize the student. Additionally, it is a guiding instrument for MEP personnel whose goal is for victim-survivors of human trafficking to have the best opportunities for their overall development,” expressed Carolina Ramírez.

The protocol was developed with a focus on human rights, as protected by Law No. 9095 Against Human Trafficking and its regulations, and it establishes three important elements: How to address the need to restore educational rights, the path to follow for a comprehensive approach to these situations, and socio-educational follow-up to actions taken.

Additionally, it seeks the comprehensive protection of the people as active subjects of rights, rather than seeing them as passive figures to be protected, while always considering the best interest of minors.

The crime of human trafficking is one of the most heinous human rights violations in the world. Various domestic and international criminal organizations operating in Costa Rica benefit from this crime, identified as the third most lucrative criminal activity worldwide.

The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) has made efforts to guarantee access to the right to education for minors as well as for legal adults, who are offered various means of continuing their studies.

These efforts have technical and financial support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), within the framework of the Regional Migration Program: Mesoamerica - The Caribbean, financed by the Department of State of the United States.