ProLAC calls for cross-border protection data exchange in Latin America
ProLAC, a protection monitoring platform run with DRC and NRC, used the VIII Ibero-American Summit on Human Mobility in Cartagena to urge stronger regional cooperation and data sharing. Its monitoring across eight Latin American countries found that armed and criminal groups drive displacement through violence, extortion, threats, and child recruitment, while restrictive migration policies limit access to protection. The platform argues that country-by-country analysis misses regional displacement dynamics and protection gaps.
ProLAC is a platform that tracks protection issues, jointly run by DRC and NRC. It made its appeal at the VIII Ibero-American Summit on Human Mobility in Cartagena, organized by FIO and RINDHCA. Its evidence comes from work with 20 partner organizations in eight Latin American countries.
The monitoring links displacement to non-state armed groups and criminal networks, citing extortion, intimidation, threats, child recruitment, and attacks on civilians. Among displaced people, 70% named those groups as a displacement factor. Eight in ten displaced households reported at least one abuse where they now live, and 15% had been displaced twice. Of households with possible international protection needs, 56% had not sought asylum; 45% of undocumented refugees and migrants reported abuse.
The push for shared protection data may help governments, aid groups, and ombuds institutions spot displacement trends earlier and coordinate responses. People fleeing armed violence, extortion, or recruitment could benefit if barriers to asylum and regularization are better understood. However, data-sharing raises privacy and trust concerns, so affected communities may only see improved protection if safeguards and local participation are prioritized.