The Government of Curaçao refused to talk to a delegation from Amnesty International -Netherlands about flagrant violations of human rights against Venezuelan refugees. The delegation was also forbidden to visit the refugees being detained.

This visit to Curaçao could not have come as a surprise. Earlier in October 2021, Amnesty International (AI) documented 22 cases of Venezuelans, including children, who have been subjected to human rights violations such as automatic detention under inhumane conditions, ill-treatment, family separations and the denial of their right to seek asylum. It also concluded that the situation of Venezuelans seeking protection in Curaçao had not improved since it published the report Detained and Deported in 2018. At that time the Government said it would start adhering to international laws. However, the lack of compassion and humanity shown so far by the Government remains disconcerting https://alexdavidrosaria.wordpress.com/2018/03/24/our-moral-obligation-as-the-venezuelan-refugee-crisis-wears-on/.

The Government must know that stifling independent human rights monitoring is unacceptable. Hiding from the AI delegation without giving a reason is childish and plain wrong.

It’s obvious that this Government wants to silence those here and abroad who are pleading for a change. This doesn’t seem to work however as the story is rapidly being picked up by international media outlets.

I’m ashamed of what’s been happening, especially this latest episode. A smidgen of maturity, self-responsibility and morality would behoove this Government. 

Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has a MBA from the University of Iowa. (USA).