Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico, January 20, 2021.
The Alliance for the Protection of Children stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers from Honduras, who since Thursday, January 14, 2021 have left their country in a migratory exodus; children and adolescents (NNA) are a fundamental part of this process of human mobilization, with the risk of their physical integrity, a situation aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faced with this situation, with deep sadness and concern we recognize and denounce that this new exodus is the result of the lack of opportunities in the country of origin that denies many people the opportunities for quality education, decent jobs, access to health, security , and as we have pointed out before, their right to a life free of violence, insecurity and want. Therefore, we ask:
To the authorities of the countries of transit and destination, that, respecting international agreements, ensure a dignified treatment for the people of this caravan, particularly the NNA, that consider their protection and safety, their right to mobilize and safeguard their integrity.
To the people and communities through which the caravan will pass, that in an effort of empathy and solidarity, do everything possible to provide them with dignified reception conditions, ensure that they are not stigmatized and that they are provided with the necessary supplies so that they do not suffer more hardships.
We invite churches and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to join this and other pronouncements that reflect their opinion in favor of respect for their rights and thus ask governments to work in favor of the population in order to that they have the necessary conditions for a dignified life and that they are not forced to leave their countries.
To the countries of origin, especially Honduras, try to put the well-being of the population first, make the effort to guarantee education, health and decent jobs for their population, as well as security and preserve the physical integrity of the population, independently of the political preferences and positions of citizens.
The Alliance for the Protection of Children is an initiative of faith-based organizations and communities engaged in implementing common actions that contribute to the search for alternatives to reduce the levels of violence in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico, and its impact punctual in the lives of boys and girls.
The Alliance aims to maximize the potential for advocacy and mobilization of faith communities to protect children from violence, and re-establish the rights of victims, through the collective work of faith-based organizations. faith in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. The Alliance is made up of a Regional Coordinating Committee and four National Committees, one in each country of the sub-region.
We pray for each sister and brother who leaves their country due to frustration, lack of opportunities to have the life to which they are entitled, especially for the children and adolescents at risk due to this exodus.