AMSTERDAM - Aruba is failing to meet international human rights standards in its treatment of Venezuelan refugees, according to a new report from Amnesty International. The report raises serious concerns about how migrants are handled on the island. Dagmaar van Oudshoorn, director of Amnesty International Netherlands, noted that many migrants are immediately detained upon irregular entry into the country. "There are alternatives to detention, such as a reporting requirement. However, people are currently being imprisoned without good reason," says Van Oudshoorn. 

The Amnesty International report, based on years of research in Aruba, paints a troubling picture. A significant portion of Venezuelan migrants lack access to basic services such as medical care and often work in the informal sector, increasing their risk of exploitation. Van Oudshoorn explains, "The care in detention centers is substandard; there is little access to doctors, and the sanitary conditions are poor." 

In addition to issues with the treatment of Venezuelans, Amnesty highlights a lack of essential information about migrant rights on the island. "Basic information in the migrants' own language is missing, and there is no proper guidance during asylum procedures," Van Oudshoorn adds. Gender-based violence is also a major concern, with many women afraid to report incidents due to the fear of being arrested. 

Dutch Involvement 

Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Dutch government plays a significant role in funding the reception and detention of migrants on the island. Public documents reveal that the Netherlands also finances deportation flights, which Amnesty International finds problematic. "This may violate the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the deportation of people to unsafe situations," Van Oudshoorn states. 

While Aruba is an autonomous country within the Kingdom, the responsibility for upholding human rights treaties also falls on the Netherlands. Amnesty is urging the Kingdom of the Netherlands to adhere to the international agreements it has signed. "Both Aruba and the Netherlands must take responsibility and ensure better compliance with human rights," Van Oudshoorn emphasizes. 

Amnesty International hopes to engage with Aruban authorities following the release of this report to improve the island's migration policies. "It is crucial that swift action is taken to improve the conditions for Venezuelan refugees in Aruba," Van Oudshoorn concludes.