Legal Identity and Rights-Based Return Management Conference

November 3, 2023

According to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately one billion people worldwide lack legal identity. This staggering statistic means that these individuals remain invisible to their respective states, facing limitations in accessing essential services and mobility options. To address this issue, the IOM organized a Legal Identity and Rights-Based Return Management Conference at the UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark, from October 30 to 31, 2023.

The Consequences of Invisible Status

The lack of legal identity compels these individuals to take longer, more perilous, and irregular migration routes, as highlighted in the IOM’s press release. This situation creates a range of challenges for these individuals and for the countries they move between.

Bridging the Gap through Dialogue

The conference aimed to facilitate dialogue between countries of origin and destination for those without legal identities. Government officials from both sides gathered to promote legal identity exchanges across regions. This collaborative effort is seen as a pivotal step in making migration safer, more regular, and conducive to socioeconomic growth. It emphasizes international cooperation and border governance partnerships.

Unlocking Opportunities Through Legal Identity

Jens Godtfredsen, Ambassador for Migration, Return, and Readmission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, stressed the importance of legal identification. Without it, individuals face difficulties accessing social services, paying taxes, voting, or even opening a bank account, all of which contribute to irregular migration. He called for a holistic approach to address the global identity gap.

Overcoming Obstacles in Readmission Processes

Governments acknowledged the challenges hindering readmission processes for migrants. These hurdles can be surmounted or reduced by strengthening a state’s legal identity capacity, consular support, and collaboration among relevant government agencies.

Promoting Best Practices

The conference underlined the significance of cross-regional exchanges to share best practices and learn from one another. This collaborative approach aims to refine national policies, enhance coordination mechanisms, and reduce migrants’ vulnerabilities by adopting a rights-based approach.

Regional and International Cooperation

Representatives from various countries, including Somalia, Lebanon, Iraq, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, and Mozambique, emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation. Such collaboration can drive the digitization of legal identity systems and national archives, facilitating a rights-based approach to return management.

IOM’s Global Programme RELICA

The conference was organized under the umbrella of IOM’s Global Programme Enhancing Readmission and Legal Identity Capacities (RELICA), launched in 2022. This initiative underscores the commitment to address the global identity gap and promote legal identities as a fundamental human right.

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