By Martina Rapido Ragozzino and Juan Pappier

 In 2023, over half a million people crossed the Darién Gap, a swampy jungle between Colombia and Panama, most with the intention of heading to the United States. During their journey through this difficult terrain, many people from the Americas, including Venezuelans, Haitians, and Ecuadorians as well as people from Asia and Africa experienced serious abuses, including sexual violence. Dozens, if not hundreds, have lost their lives or gone missing trying to cross. Neglected in the Jungle: Inadequate Protection and Assistance for Migrants and Asylum Seekers Crossing the Darién Gap, the second in a series of Human Rights Watch reports on migration via the Darién Gap, focuses on Colombia’s and Panama’s responses to migration across their joint border. It identifies specific failures by both governments to effectively protect and assist these people—including those at higher risk, such as unaccompanied children—as well as to investigate abuses against them. Whatever the reason for their trip, migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Darién Gap are entitled to respect for their human rights during their journey. Colombia and Panama can and should do more to ensure their rights, including by taking appropriate steps to ensure access to food, water and basic health services and strengthening efforts to prevent and investigate abuses. 

New York:Human Rights Watch, 2024. 116p.