THE HAGUE - Human rights organization Amnesty International recently reported that the Netherlands co-finances the deportation of Venezuelans from Aruba. State Secretary Zsolt Szabó refuted this claim today in a letter. According to him, the active tracking, detention, and deportation of Venezuelans is “not part of Dutch aid.” The State Secretary for Kingdom Relations dismissed Amnesty's accusations, emphasizing that “human rights must be respected and protected at all times, no matter where in the world.”
Szabó's written response came following questions raised by Member of Parliament Raoul White (GroenLinks-PvdA) regarding the Amnesty International Netherlands report. The State Secretary clarified that the funds transferred by the Netherlands are intended to improve the reception facilities for undocumented Venezuelans on the island.