The United Nations Agency for Refugees (Acnur) estimates that there are more than 7.13 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the world. It is estimated that 14,000 and 17,000 Venezuelans reside in Curaçao and Aruba, respectively. These figures are equivalent to almost 10% of the population of those islands.
The Pan American and Caribbean Union for Human Rights (Pacuhrfor its acronym in English) expressed through a statement its “deep concern” about the impact of the measures taken by the governments of Aruba and Curaçao, especially regarding the deportation and detention of Venezuelan migrants.
“Our concern is centered on the opening of the borders of Aruba and Curaçao with Venezuela and that this could generate massive apprehensions and expulsions of Venezuelans in an irregular migratory situation, constituting a breach of the international legal system,” says Pacuhr, a federation that claims to group more than 89 civil society organizations in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe.
The organization referred to a raid carried out by the Curaçao government on Friday, April 14, which ended with the arrest of 18 women. “Not all of them are Venezuelan, but six of them, according to a press release, were deprived of liberty to be deported. In this sense, we reiterate that legal guarantees must be respected and a dignified and fair treatment must be provided to them.”
Pachur also pointed out that forced migration cannot be criminalized, so it is essential to ensure that anyone in an irregular migration situation is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their status. “Venezuelan migrants deserve humane and fair treatment, and must have access to basic services, protection, and adequate medical care.”
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The United Nations Agency for Refugees (Acnur) estimates that there are more than 7.13 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the world. It is estimated that 14,000 and 17,000 Venezuelans reside in Curaçao and Aruba, respectively. These figures are equivalent to almost 10% of the population of those islands.
The humanitarian platform also requested the States involved, including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to guarantee due process, study each case individually and respect “the principle of non-refoulement, in accordance with international obligations on asylum, refuge and international protection.
From PACUHR we are closely observing what is happening with the opening of the Aruba and Curacao borders with Vzla. We hope no expulsions and/or massive deportations materialize, like the one on Friday the 14th with the arrest of 18 ladies. #HRD#MigrantRights pic.twitter.com/Sj27u5VKfQ
— Panamerican and Caribbean Union for Human Rights (@pacuhr) April 16, 2023
The principle of non-refoulement refers to the right of a person not to be returned, expelled or rejected from a State to a territory where their life, liberty and physical integrity are at risk.
With information from Chronicles of the Caribbean
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