WILLEMSTAD – Amnesty International is calling on the government of Curaçao to urgently reform its migrant detention policies following a recent condemnation by the European Court of Human Rights over the treatment of Venezuelan migrants on the island.
The human rights organization says Curaçao must establish clear rules for the use of rubber bullets, ensure independent investigations into violence by authorities and strengthen legal protections for migrants held in detention.
The call follows a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that the rights of seven Venezuelan migrants were violated while they were detained on Curaçao.
The case dates back to 2019, when the men were intercepted at sea after arriving from Venezuela and placed in immigration detention.
During unrest inside the detention facility, the migrants were shot at close range with rubber bullets by authorities.
According to the Court, the Curaçao government failed to prove that the use of force was necessary or proportionate under the circumstances.
The judges also found that no independent investigation was conducted into the incident, which the Court said constituted a separate violation of the migrants’ rights.
Amnesty says the ruling exposes serious gaps in Curaçao’s treatment of migrants and asylum seekers, particularly those fleeing Venezuela’s ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis.
Beyond the use of force, the organization is also calling for stronger legal safeguards.
The Court ruled that the Venezuelan detainees did not have sufficient access to a judge or an effective legal process to challenge their detention.
Amnesty argues that Curaçao must now improve access to legal assistance and guarantee fair procedures for migrants to contest detention orders.
Human rights groups have for years raised concerns about Curaçao’s migration policy, especially regarding Venezuelan migrants, many of whom arrive on the island seeking refuge or economic survival.
Critics have pointed to prolonged detention, limited legal aid and insufficient refugee protections as ongoing structural problems.
The pressure on Curaçao’s migration system remains high due to its geographic proximity to Venezuela, making the island one of the main destinations for Venezuelans crossing the Caribbean in search of safety or opportunity.
Amnesty says the European Court ruling should serve as a turning point.
The organization is urging Curaçao to bring its migration and detention policies in line with international human rights standards to prevent similar violations in the future.
The government has not yet announced what measures it plans to take in response to the ruling.