Information on a group called the Jeunesses Ouvrières Catholiques (JOC) or the Young Catholic Workers; whether they face particular problems in Costa Rica and if so, the nature of these problems and whether they are harassed by the authorities [CRI24884.E]

According to the Quito, Ecuador-based Continental Co-ordinator of the Juventud Obreras Catholicas (JOC) or the Young Catholic Workers, the JOC has approximately 30 members in Costa Rica (29 Aug. 1996). The co-ordinator, who visits Costa Rica on a regular basis, stated that they are unaware of any Costa Rican JOC members being harassed or mistreated by the Costa Rican authorities (ibid). Additional and/or corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference


Juventud Obreras Catholicas (JOC), Quito, Ecuador. 29 August 1996. Telephone interview with the Continental Co-ordinator.

Additional Sources Consulted

Amnesty International Costa Rica Country File.

Amnesty International Report 1996. 1996.

Central America NewsPak [Austin]. 26 June-9 July 1995 to 8-21 July 1996.

Central America Report [Guatemala City]. 16 June 1995 to 18 July 1996.

Central American Dialogue for Security and Demilitarization [San José, Costa Rica]. December 1995 to May 1996.

Country Reports 1995. 1996.

DIRB Costa Rica Country File.

The Encyclopedia of Religion. 1987. Vol. 15.

Hemisfile [La Jolla, California]. November-December 1994 to present.

Hemisphere [Miami]. Summer 1994 to Summer 1996.

Index on Censorship [London]. January-February 1995 to present.

Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs [Miami]. Winter 1994 to Spring 1996.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 19 January 1995 to 25 July 1996.

Latin America Regional Reports: Caribbean and Central America Report [London]. July 1994-25 July 1996.

Mesoamerica [San José, Costa Rica]. May 1995 to present.

NEXIS on-line search.

Religion in Politics. 1989.

Youth Movements of the World. 1990.