HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN BORDER COLOMBIA - VENEZUELA September 3, 2015. *Unofficial translation The Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (Redlad) alert on the humanitarian crisis that exists in the Colombo - Venezuelan border because of the expulsion and mass emigration of Colombian citizens from Venezuelan territories. On 21 August the Decree of State of emergency took effect in several municipalities in the State of Táchira, Venezuela, and began to be implemented the order of Nicolas Maduro on the raid, destruction of homes and mass deportations of Colombians in irregular migratory situations. Among others, Maduro argued for this decision the high presence of Colombian paramilitaries in the area and the increasing traffic of contraband. To date, over a thousand Colombians have been deported in a week, missing the principle of due process stipulated in the Venezuelan Constitution. Maduro’s regime has been marking dwellings of Colombians with a "D" to then be demolished. Children of Colombian parents, born in Venezuelan territory are claimed by the LOPNA (Organic Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents), forcing them to stay while their parents are deported. This situation has generated that over eight thousand Colombians have returned ' on their own' to their native country in precarious conditions because of the fear of losing their belongings and see their family separate. According to the representative of UNHCR in Colombia daily more than 1,500 Colombians leaving Venezuela across the border, creating a humanitarian crisis because it is almost impossible to guarantee good living conditions for the returnees, including rights to education and health. The Permanent Secretariat of REDLAD, platform for more than 520 organizations that defend democracy and human rights, Official member of the Civil Society Forum of the OAS (Organization of American States) and Regional Chapter of World Movement for Democracy (WMD):
Expresses its solidarity to the families, special young people, infants and the elderly, who are being affected by this situation. Points the violations of rights in the absence of due process of deportation as well as abuses of power by the authorities during the raids. Raids, separation of families and demolition of houses must stop immediately. It calls on the Government of Venezuela to seek agreements with the Government of Colombia to combat insecurity and smuggling effectively and not under the abuses of citizens of both countries. It is necessary to immediately stop the abuses at the border and that the necessary measures are taken to prevent further massive withdrawals of Colombians in Venezuela. Rejects the deportations that are carried out in other areas of the border, as the 40 Colombian citizens who were also arbitrarily deported from Paraguachón, municipality of Guajira, Venezuela, on 25 August. Recommends to the Venezuelan Government to evaluate special cases in which can be affected in household and the separation of children from parents, and facilitate actions for family reunification, the recovery of the belongings of citizens who were forced or voluntarily left Venezuelan territories, and the return of those who want to return. Urges the international community to show solidarity with Colombian refugees and to trigger sanctions on the Government of Venezuela.
Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe para la Democracia (RedLad). http://www.redlad.org/