Social Oversight

Individualized support

What is it?

When an LGBTIQ+ person in a situation of migration, forced displacement, or seeking refuge needs to go to a public or private institution, they may face situations of discrimination, lack of knowledge of their rights, or unfair treatment.

Social Oversight goes with the person to that institution. It doesn't speak for them, handle their paperwork, or have special contacts to speed up processes. What it does is be there: guide them about their rights, ensure they are treated with dignity, and accompany them so that next time they can go on their own, with autonomy and without fear.

The difference between going alone and not knowing what to say, and going with support and knowing exactly what you can demand, that's Social Oversight.

What we can do and what we can't

We support public and private institutions so that their rights are respected.

We Do

Physically accompany them to public institutions: EBAIS, hospitals, CCSS, DGME, MEP, and others.
To guide you about your rights before, during, and after each appointment or procedure.
Make sure they get treated with dignity and that their rights are respected in every institution.
Document situations of discrimination or rights violations for advocacy actions.
Provide guidance on access to CCSS insurance for migrants and asylum seekers.
Accompany in processes related to HIV: access to STI clinics, antiretroviral treatment (ART), and guidance on Law 7771 and its reform 9797.
Assist with degree recognition procedures before the MEP.
To build with you the tools and knowledge so that next time you can assert your rights on your own.

We Don't Do

Sacar citas en instituciones públicas (no tenemos capacidad ni acceso especial para hacerlo).
Speaking on your behalf to institutions: our role is to support and guide, not to represent.
Handle immigration procedures directly (that falls under Legal Advice).
Having contacts that speed up institutional processes: we don't have that ability, and it would go against our institutional ethics.
Replace legal representation: if you need legal representation, we coordinate it with Legal Advice.
Dealing with active violence or emergency situations: in those cases, security protocols are activated and coordination is done with the appropriate authorities.

Which institutions do we support?

Social Oversight supports LGBTIQ+ migrant people, asylum seekers, and refugees in the following institutions and procedures:

EBAIS, clinics, and hospitals of the CCSS

When access to health services is denied or made difficult because of immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Clinics for STD and HIV monitoring and control

Access to STD testing, guidance on getting antiretroviral therapy (ART), and advice on the General Law on HIV-AIDS and its reform that guarantee confidentiality, non-discrimination, and access to treatment.

Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS)

Assurance processes for LGBTIQ+ migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Access to services while waiting for regularization.

General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Affairs (DGME)

Immigration appointments and procedures to ensure dignified treatment and respect for rights during the process. Social Oversight does not manage or schedule appointments.

Ministry of Public Education (MEP)

Process for recognizing primary, secondary, and technical course degrees for refugees and asylum seekers. Requirements and process with the MEP.

Other state institutions

Any public or private institution where a person faces situations of discrimination, violation of rights, or undignified treatment because of their migration status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The laws that protect you in accessible language

Law 7771 + Reform 9797
General Law on HIV-AIDS

This law guarantees the right to free antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Costa Rica, the confidentiality of the diagnosis, and the explicit prohibition of discrimination based on HIV status in work, health, and education. Reform 9797 updated and strengthened these protections. Living with HIV cannot be a reason to deny anyone any public or private service.

Law 5395
General Health Law

In Costa Rica, the law guarantees everyone's right to receive emergency medical care at a hospital or EBAIS, no matter their immigration status. No public institution can deny you help in an emergency just because your documents aren't in order, and if they did, they'd be violating your basic human rights. However, access to primary care and regular appointments isn't automatic, since the public system requires having insurance or being in legal status for these services, except for minors and pregnant women.

MEP Requirements
Degree Recognition

People applying for asylum and refugees can validate their academic degrees (elementary, high school, and technical) with the Ministry of Public Education. This process formally recognizes the studies completed in their home country and is essential for accessing formal employment and higher education in Costa Rica. The Oversight team provides guidance on the necessary documents and the process.

How does the support work?

Each accompaniment is coordinated and carried out as quickly as possible, always safeguarding the person's privacy. Here's what you can expect:

Referral from Social Work or direct request

Social Work evaluates the situation and determines which institution or procedure needs support. If you already have a record at IRCA CASABIERTA and have a specific need, you can request it directly.

Pre-appointment guidance

Before the support session, the Social Oversight team explains to you what your specific rights are for that process, what you can demand, which documents to submit as requirements and which as backup, and what could happen if the institution doesn’t respect your rights.

In-person support

The team physically accompanies them to the institution. They are present during the appointment to make sure their rights are respected.

If a situation of discrimination or unfair treatment happens, the team guides you on how to document it and what actions to take.

Documentation and follow-up

If during the accompaniment a rights violation is identified, it is documented for political advocacy actions. The team follows up on the case and coordinates with Legal Advice when the situation requires it.

Building autonomy

The ultimate goal of each support is for the person to be able, in the future, to assert their rights without needing support. The team works actively to make that happen: teaching, guiding, and giving back control to the person at every step of the process.

Access requirements

To access Social Oversight you need:

Not required:

Impact story

"I didn't know they could help me, IRCA CASABIERTA saved my life"

I came from Guanacaste to San José because I couldn't find help in my area. I had an HIV diagnosis and needed to start treatment. I went to an EBAIS and they told me that without insurance they couldn't take care of me, couldn't do tests, nothing. It was easy to believe them because I didn’t know there was a law that protected me.

For various reasons in life, I ended up at IRCA CASABIERTA. I didn't know that these aids existed in Costa Rica, but the internet helped me; that's how I learned that, whether I have social security or not, I have the right to get STI and HIV tests and to receive antiretroviral treatment.

"Thank you very much. I didn't know they could attend to me and give me the treatment, IRCA CASABIERTA saved my life."

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Veeduría Social' actually mean?

In simple terms: support to assert your rights in public and private institutions. The technical name comes from 'monitor,' a figure who observes and ensures that processes are carried out correctly. In practice, it means that someone from the IRCA CASABIERTA team goes with you to the institution, It guides you about your rights and ensures you are treated with dignity.

Can you get me an appointment at the EBAIS or the CCSS?

No. Social Oversight doesn't have the ability to schedule or advance appointments at any public institution. What we can do is accompany you to the appointment you already have scheduled, guide you on your rights before you go, and make sure you receive respectful care when you arrive.

Does the team speak for me at the institution?

No. The person from the Social Oversight team accompanies and guides you, but doesn't speak on your behalf. The goal is for you to be able to communicate directly, assert your rights, and be heard. We're there to let you know what you can say and how to say it, not to say it for you.

What happens if I'm discriminated against in an institution?

Si durante el acompañamiento —o en cualquier momento— una institución le niega servicios, le discrimina o viola sus derechos por su condición migratoria, orientación sexual o identidad de género, el equipo de Veeduría Social le orienta sobre cómo documentar la situación y qué acciones puede tomar. En casos donde corresponda, se coordina con Asesoría Legal para acciones adicionales.

Can you go with me even if I don't have CCSS insurance?

Yes. The support from Social Oversight is not conditional on having social insurance. In fact, one of the most common functions of the area is precisely to guide on how to access CCSS coverage as a migrant or refugee applicant.

Can you accompany me for procedures related to HIV?

Yes. Social Oversight specifically supports access to STI Monitoring and Control Clinics, the management of antiretroviral treatment (ART), and situations of discrimination related to an HIV diagnosis. Law 7771 and its reform 9797 guarantee your rights in these processes, and the team guides you on how to make them effective.

Is the support in person or can it be virtual?

Accompaniment in institutions is in person by nature, we are physically with you. However, prior guidance on your rights can be arranged virtually or by phone. The team evaluates each situation to determine the best way to provide support.