{"id":10921,"date":"2018-04-03T13:35:43","date_gmt":"2018-04-03T13:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conectas.org\/?post_type=noticia&p=10921"},"modified":"2021-04-07T13:57:02","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T13:57:02","slug":"rio-de-janeiro-vetoes-fee-exemption-validating-diplomas-refugees","status":"publish","type":"noticia","link":"https:\/\/conectas.org\/en\/noticias\/rio-de-janeiro-vetoes-fee-exemption-validating-diplomas-refugees\/","title":"Rio de Janeiro vetoes fee exemption for validating diplomas of refugees","content":"

The Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Fernando Pez\u00e3o, has vetoed Bill 2080\/2016 that exempts refugees residing in the state from paying fees to validate their foreign graduate, masters or doctoral diplomas. C\u00e1ritas Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, Conectas, Compassiva, IMDH (Migrations and Human Rights Institute) and the Igarap\u00e9 Institute signed a joint letter calling on the state legislature to overturn the veto.<\/p>\n

Governor Pez\u00e3o\u2019s decision conflicts with the actions of other states, such as S\u00e3o Paulo, which approved the fee exemption last month. The exemption is a long-time demand of refugees living in Brazil, since it helps them work in their field of expertise, thereby contributing to the dynamism and diversity of the Brazilian labor market.<\/p>\n

\u201cRio de Janeiro had been expected to accept this demand of refugees, since the state is one of the main destinations for people seeking protection in Brazil. Unfortunately, the government vetoed the bill, going against one of the principles of the New Immigration Law that recognizes the importance of academic and professional credentials for the inclusion of refugees in Brazilian society,\u201d said Camila Asano, coordinator of programs at Conectas.<\/p>\n

In the letter, the organizations argued that the validation of diplomas is a way of ensuring that \u201cintegration is effective, complete and lasting\u201d as it allows refugees to enter the job market in positions that guarantee their autonomy and dignity. The signatories also maintained that the measure will help improve the reception of refugees, \u201cconsolidating the effective exercise of their rights and renewing the value of the principles of freedom, democracy and justice\u201d.<\/p>\n