Human rights group: Let Caricom help Trinidad and Tobago with Venezuelan migrants

THE Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), in a Facebook statement on Friday, urged TT to ask its Caricom neighbours to help with the influx of Venezuelan migrants.

The CCHR said despite the economic crisis due to covid19, TT still has a duty to protect human rights as set out in the TT Constitution and laws, plus its obligations as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS.)

“It is possible to secure our borders, protect our national security, mitigate the strain on our economy and preserve relationships with our international partners whilst honouring our obligations under international law," it pointed out. “Protecting vulnerable people fleeing a desperate humanitarian crisis does not have to be a zero-sum game.”

The centre said the Refuge Convention in its preamble says any state too burdened to provide asylum can seek international help.

“The Refugee Convention places expectations on its signatories to protect asylum seekers' and refugee rights. However it also offers avenues to a state that is struggling to honour its obligations under the convention and provide international protection.

“Based on this principle we urge the Government of TT to seek the help of its Caricom brothers and sisters and the wider international community to manage the crisis.”

The centre said TT sits next door to one of the worst human rights and humanitarian crises in modern history.

“Basic necessities are out of reach for many Venezuelans and the healthcare system is almost no-existent.

“The Venezuelan government continues to engage in systematic human rights atrocities against its own people as has been graphically detailed in the UN Human Rights Council report.”

The statement said Reuters had reported on the alleged victimisation of Venezuelan dissenters by "hate laws" aimed at stifling critics of the regime. The centre said after investigations, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has concluded a reasonable basis to prosecute Venezuelan government officials, including President Maduro, of crimes against humanity.

“TT must do all that it can, taking into consideration the guidance and support that is at our disposal, to protect vulnerable persons seeking international protection, engage in efforts to eradicate the scourges of human trafficking and smuggling and save lives. All options have not been exhausted.

“And so we reiterate our call to the Government of TT to consider exploring the option of a burden sharing agreement with other Caricom members and the wider international community.”

"To do so would create a proper response to the humanitarian crisis which seems too much for TT to bear alone and let TT show its commitment to honour its international obligations and protect human rights.

“We also call on Caricom leadership to recognise there needs to be a regional approach to this crisis and support the efforts of the TT Government to prevent tragedies like the one that occurred last Sunday with the drownings of Venezuelan migrants.”

Deporting people back to the risky situation from which they fled is inhumane and breaches TT’s obligations under international human rights law, the centre said.

“It is not the solution to deal with the humanitarian crisis. Criminalisation of the asylum process, where persons are deported based on irregular entry, places vulnerable persons at further risk.”

The protection of human rights must be the foundation of the Government's response in managing this crisis.

“And so as we commemorate International Migrants Day, we encourage the Government to reaffirm its commitment to allow safe, dignified and humane routes to seek protection.”

Contacted for comment Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne said he could not comment without seeing the media release and referred Newsday to the Prime Minister's comments during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

"These issues related to the migration matters, the OAS and it's treatment of the Venezuelan-Caricom-TT situation will be much on the agenda during TT's tenure as head of Caricom."

Newsday also contacted Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Caricom chairman Dr Ralph Gonsalves, but was told by his assistant that he was in a meeting at the time.
(With reporting by Shane Superville)