ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the backdrop against which Latin America's regional approach is set and the main documents that have emerged from the region. Some of them have emerged from practical needs in the face of conflicts, but even so they have allowed for the continuing advancement of International Refugee Law and protection in the region in general. The regional approach to International Refugee Law and protection however does not replace the universal standards, but rather serves as a way to encourage States to accede to these documents and to complement them with regional tailored programs and actions, aiming to enhance the protection of refugees. From the regional Latin American approach, improvements have been noted in national practice and legislation, as norms more in keeping with the international standards. Complementary protection and a broader definition of refugees have emerged from the Cartagena Declaration, the San Jose Declaration, the MPA and the Brasilia Declaration.
