Opposition, Government MPs quarrel over Venezuelan migrants

NAPARIMA MP Rodney Charles hit the Government for allegedly violating international law in the recent attempted deportation of two boatloads of illegal immigrants from Venezuela. However, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy said he was incorrect in law.

This exchange of views took place on Friday as the House of Representatives debated a private motion by Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein lamenting the Government’s handling of TT’s crime situation. Charles said government MPs have nothing to be proud of during their tenure.

“They are part of a government that in fact has broken international law. I refer to Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

He quoted the treaty to say that states shall take measures so that a child seeking refugee status shall receive “appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance” to enjoy applicable rights.

Charles opined, “International law speaks about the need of a state party, in this case TT, to protect the rights of a child seeking refugee status. International law!”

He quoted Article 33 of the Refugee Convention, saying, “No contracting state of the convention shall expel or return a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of the territory where his life of freedom shall be threatened.”

Charles said TT was signatory to these two treaties. Punching the air animatedly, he said, “And we have this government running afoul and nobody on that side having the strength to stand up and say ‘This is wrong! This is bringing our country into disrepute.’”

Webster-Roy, the Tobago East MP, retorted. “While I do enjoy listening to my friend the member for Naparima, sometimes I just have to sit back and wonder.

“He reminds me of a newly-ordained leader at the pulpit trying to evoke the emotions of the congregation but on many occasions failing, and in some instances not telling the truth.”

She said he was playing smart with foolishness.

“The member of fully aware that the article in the convention he referenced was not brought into law. The particular section of the convention was not ratified when then AG Ramlogan under former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar drafted and enacted the law.”