Law 370 on Migration

Bolivia's Migration Law establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating the entry, transit, residence, and departure of individuals within the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The legislation notably includes specific provisions for climate migrants, defining them as “groups of people who are forced to move from one State to another due to climate effects, when there is risk or threat to their life, whether due to natural causes, environmental disasters, nuclear or chemical disasters, or famine”. The law is grounded in several key principles, including 'Living Well' (which emphasises harmony with Mother Earth), non-discrimination, gender equity, reciprocity, sovereignty, and transparency. These principles ensure the protection of both Bolivian nationals and foreigners' rights. Regarding climate migration specifically, Article 65 mandates the National Migration Council to: (1) promote international agreements and conventions on climate change and environmental matters with different states to protect affected Bolivian citizens; and (2) coordinate public policies to facilitate, when necessary, the admission of populations displaced by climate impacts