The Troubled Road to Repatriation in Central America: Lessons Learned by Refugees in Exile

Abstract

In refugee assisting circles, it is generally believed that the best solution to the refugee problem is voluntary repatriation. Similarly, many refugees living in exile nurture the hope that one day they will be able to return to the lands they were once forced to flee. This desire is especially strong if they face economic restrictions and administrative harassment in the country of asylum. When political conditions in the county of origin improve many refugees return. Often refugees get tired of waiting for the conditions to improve in their home countries and decide to go back in spite of persistent violations of human rights.