Refugee Crisis: T&T may require CARICOM assistance with Venezuela refugee crisis

Caribbean: The Caribbean Center for Human Rights (CCHR) said yesterday that 15 members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) should help tackle the influx of migrants from Venezuela to Trinidad and Tobago.

The CCHR also said in a statement that it was the duty of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to protect human rights in accordance with its constitution and the country’s laws, in addition to its obligations as a member of the Organization of American States (OAS). .

At least 28 people died in a shipwreck in Venezuela Caribbean last December 12, a figure that has been growing in recent days as the investigation progresses. It is the second in which at least 16 Venezuelans were expelled from Trinidad and Tobago and disappeared into Caribbean waters for about two days.

The government of Trinidad says it cannot accept more people and turns to Venezuela’s migration. In late November, a group of migrants, including 16 children, took two boats and left them alone for a day and a night.

A judge in Trinidad expressed regret and the children were rescued, but living in Trinidad is forbidden. Reports of abuse and arrest are common on the island.

And Caracas continues to fuel the departure. In the last three weeks, at least 160 Venezuelans were expelled in a deportation campaign coordinated by the Venezuelan armed forces.

Trinidad Prime Minister Keith Rowley considers the arrival of refugees into his country “an attack” and threatens further deportation to unspecified Venezuelan people, who cooperate with illegal arrivals even with legal status.

Opposition leader David Smolenski, the commissioner of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the migration crisis in Venezuela, violated the principle of renewal of protection for Venezuelan immigrants and refugees, condemning Trinidad and Tobago. He said that “rafts” are not allowed to land and they have returned to the sea due to more and more tragedies.

“It is possible to secure our borders, protect our national security, reduce tensions in our economy, and preserve relations with our international partners while respecting our obligations under international laws,” the CCHR said. “Protecting the vulnerable from a desperate humanitarian crisis is not a game,” the unit said.

The NGO argued that the “Convention on Refugees expects its signatories to protect the rights of refugees and refugees.” However, it also paves the way for a state that is struggling to meet its obligations under the Convention and provides international protection (…) Based on this principle, we the Government of Trinidad and Tobago Urges him to help CAROMOM to help his brothers and sisters. And the international community at large to manage the crisis. ”

The Center said that Trinidad and Tobago is on the verge of one of its worst humanitarian and human rights in modern history: “The basic needs are beyond the reach of many Venezuelans and the health system is virtually non-existent. The Venezuelan government continues to commit systematic human rights atrocities against its own people, as graphically detailed in the UN Human Rights Report. ”

“We also say that this crisis needs a regional approach and calls for CARICOM leaders to support the Trinidad and Tobago government’s efforts to prevent tragedies like last Sunday with the sinking of Venezuelan immigrants Are, ”he insisted.

“Bringing people into a state of risk is inhuman and violates the obligations of Trinidad and Tobago under international human rights law,” the center said. Finally, HRT indicated that criminalization of the asylum process, where people are deported from irregular incomes, puts vulnerable people at greater risk.”