Swedish Red Cross: Advocating for Migrants' Rights

This project Advocating for migrants’ rights and dignity is implemented by the Swedish Red Cross during 2024- 2026 with a budget of 10 MSEK. The overall objective is that the rights of women, children and men who migrate are bolstered in line with international humanitarian and human rights legislation. This overall objective is underpinned by two specific outcomes: - A stronger regional migration network with increased coordination and capacity to advocate for migrants’ rights. - Improved inclusion of migrants’ voices, needs and rights in national and regional decision-making. The Swedish Red Cross implement the project together with the regional migration network composed by twelve Red Cross National Societies in Latin America. The Colombian Red Cross host the secretariat for the network. The project will advance and strengthen the advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy efforts of the Red Cross regional network for migration to ensure that migrants can enjoy their rights in accordance with humanitarian and human rights law. The migrants themselves are an integral part of the project and the project will seek to capture their experiences and pressing needs in each territory. The project will also involve local migrant organizations to identify needs and rights to be advocated for towards decision-makers, as well as for participation in advocacy roundtable-discussions. Together with migrant organizations and other humanitarian actors, the members of the network will advocate towards decision-makers and seek to influence national laws and regional policies to support migrants’ rights as well as their safe and effective access to essential services. An evidence-based narrative will be developed to enable meaningful, coordinated engagement with governments and influence migration-related laws, policies and practice. The aim is to enable a better understanding by decision-makers of migrants’ needs and challenges throughout migratory routes, recalling authorities of their responsibilities, including measures to protect migrants. These are key priorities as well as advocating for sustainable solutions, such as local integration, access to basic services, employment, family reunification and secure legal status, based on local experiences and promoting a regional perspective. Solutions and positive narratives around migration will be promoted to enhance the inclusion of, and enable women, children and men who migrate the opportunities to contribute to the development of society. The network will be supported and strengthened through tools-, skills- and capacity development in humanitarian diplomacy. While pursuing a regional approach, the project will have the greatest influence in Northern South America and Central America.