A/HRC/4/105
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found for them. To achieve this objective, the country will need the assistance of the
international community.
33. In order to assist with the integration of the refugees, UNHCR, the Government and civil
society organizations have developed micro-credit programmes to facilitate or consolidate the
entrepreneurial activities of refugees. The main initiative in this area is the one implemented by
the Asociación de Consultores y Asesores Internacionales (ACAI) which has allowed the
formalization of about 150 productive projects, whose beneficiaries are mainly members of poor
families. In order to promote greater acceptance of the refugees amongst the host population, as
of September 2003 UNHCR recommended the inclusion of Costa Rican nationals among the
beneficiaries of these programmes, channelling a percentage of the funds to local microentrepreneurs. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the State must guarantee the refugees
access to bank credits, without discrimination based on their migratory status or the
documentation they have received.
34. ACAI also runs a programme of refugee integration and provides assistance to the most
vulnerable, giving priority to female heads of household, family groups with dependent minors,
and elderly people.
35. With regard to integration in the labour market, an agreement was signed between the
Ministry of Work and UNHCR, and the Labour Insertion Unit (ULI) was created to facilitate
access to work for refugees.
36. In addition, occupational and labour training are also provided. However, the main limitation
to the integration of refugees in the labour market is the economic situation of Costa Rica, which
is characterized by limited opportunities for work, and the fact that, when these opportunities do
exist, refugees are ill-equipped to compete with nationals or permanent residents, as they have
difficulty in demonstrating previous experience, producing references, or providing evidence of
their university degrees and the validity of their qualifications.
37. Recognizing that documentation is key to effective integration, the Government provides
refugees with a standard identity document in order to guarantee them access to basic services
such as health and education, as well as to the labour market.
38. The Government reported that a protection network has also been established. This network
deals with the specific situation and needs of refugees. It also facilitates the exchange of
information, access to education, and mutual support to guarantee the protection of asylum
seekers and refugees in the country. This network functions via three institutions: the Permanent
Forum on the Migrant Population and Refugees; the National Network of Civil Organizations for
Migration; and the universities.
39. Today, according to the authorities, the great challenge for Costa Rica is to find durable
solutions for the refugee population that has entered the country during the last six years. In
order to further its programmes of local integration and resettlement of refugees, it will need the
assistance of the international community and the support of other States in the region.
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