Ministry: All protocols observed

FLASHBACK: A National Security Ministry official (centre) processes Venezuelan nationals at the Venezuelan Embassy last Friday. On Sunday, 82 detainees were repatriated to Venezuela.
FLASHBACK: A National Security Ministry official (centre) processes Venezuelan nationals at the Venezuelan Embassy last Friday. On Sunday, 82 detainees were repatriated to Venezuela.

THE Ministry of National Security yesterday insisted that all protocols were observed in Saturday’s repatriation of 82 Venezuelans who were kept at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC). The ministry said the Venezuelans were all asked individually if they wanted to return home and all said they did.

A release from the ministry said it did not force the 82 detainees to return home, adding they were interviewed several times before they left this country on Saturday, to ascertain if they were going willingly.

It also said the TT Government has been collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure the protection of those fleeing persecution and will continue to support the work of the UNHCR, while maintaining law and order and the national-security interests of TT.

However, on Sunday, the UN expressed deep concern over the deportation a day earlier, saying the deportees included asylum seekers and it could not verify whether the repatriation was voluntary, as claimed by the ministry.

The UN believes the human rights of the deportees may have been disrespected, and in a release issued on Sunday, UN resident co-ordinator Richard Blewitt said his organisation was concerned for the deportees’ welfare.

The National Security Ministry release gave details of the procedures it said were followed and who was involved in ensuring a smooth departure. It said the Government respects the right of any person to seek asylum in TT, as well as the decision of any foreign national to voluntarily return to their homeland.

However, it also pointed out, “The Government of TT also has a right to repatriate any foreign national who is found to be in breach of the laws of TT and will take the necessary steps to ensure repatriation.” The release added that the Government and the Venezuelan Ambassador, Coromoto Godoy Calderon, have been in constant talks with a view to reducing the length of detention of Venezuelans found in breach of TT laws and to repatriate them as soon as practicable.

On April 13, Venezuelan Embassy staff met with 89 Venezuelans detained at the IDC to ascertain their well-being and to find out if they wanted to be repatriated, the release said. Subsequently, Ambassador Calderon asked for a meeting with the Ministry of National Security last Tuesday to discuss the situation.

On Saturday, the release stated, a Venezuelan military aircraft flew to Piarco for the repatriation. Eighty-two Venezuelans voluntarily left the IDC. Nineteen others could not be repatriated as warrants were issued for them to serve varying terms of imprisonment locally, having been convicted for various offences.

The release said: “No one was forced or coerced to leave the IDC, board the bus or the aircraft. The entire exercise was recorded by the TT Air Guard.”

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