In October 2024, Amnesty International published a comprehensive report that delved deeply into the ongoing challenges facing Venezuelan refugees in Aruba. The report revealed numerous shortcomings in the protection and treatment of this vulnerable group of people, and criticized the lack of a specific asylum law. This situation creates a climate of uncertainty and fear among the thousands of Venezuelans who have fled to the island to escape the humanitarian crisis in their homeland.
In the past, the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP), Aruba's current ruling party, came up with a major promise: to introduce amnesty measures for undocumented Venezuelan migrants, intended to provide them with greater legal protection and stability. To date, however, there is no sign that this pledge has been fulfilled. Instead, many migrants remain trapped in a legal vacuum, with no clear access to asylum procedures and constant threats of detention and deportation.
According to Amnesty International, asylum seekers in Aruba often face harsh conditions. Many are held in detention centers without adequate access to legal assistance or decent living conditions. This applies even to vulnerable groups, such as children and families. The report calls on the Aruban government not only to quickly implement the promised amnesty, but also to implement broader reforms that better protect asylum seekers and respect their fundamental rights.
Human rights experts have noted the pressures Aruba is experiencing due to the significant influx of migrants, which has led to challenges in managing available resources and services. Yet Amnesty stresses that these difficulties should not justify human rights violations. "It is crucial that Aruba takes the necessary steps to comply with international conventions and refugee protection obligations," the report said.
Citizens and activists on the island have mixed reactions to Amnesty's report and criticism. Some support the call for reform and advocate for humanitarian solutions that meet international standards, while others point to Aruba's limited resources and call for support from the international community to address this crisis.
The coming months will be crucial to see if the MEP delivers on its promises and takes steps to improve the policy. International organizations and human rights observers will monitor developments closely to ensure that refugee rights are no longer violated and that Aruba takes its responsibility as a host country seriously.
Amnesty International continues to push for concrete actions and urges the Aruban government to stop delaying in developing a robust legal framework that protects the rights of asylum seekers and migrants. The report underscores that it is time for Aruba not only to respond to immediate challenges, but to find a long-term solution that does justice to the human dignity of all migrants on the island.
