Decree closing border renewed for another two weeks
The measure is considered illegal by organizations for its discrimination against Venezuelans
On Saturday, June 20, the federal government renewed the decree that places temporary restrictions on the entry of foreigners to Brazil for another two weeks. The measure has been described by organizations as discriminatory because the exceptional permission to cross the border for migrants residing in the country and their relatives does not apply to people coming from Venezuela.
This latest renewal of the measure occurred without considering the recommendation of the CNDH (National Human Rights Council), the requests of human rights organizations or a Public Civil Action filed by the Federal Public Defender’s Office claiming that aspects of the decree are illegal.
“The illegal parts persist, namely the suspension of asylum requests and the immediate deportation, with no guarantee of a full defense and adversarial process, as disproportionate measures for non-compliance with the decree, as well as discrimination against Venezuelans (the decree’s exceptions do not extend to people coming from Venezuela),” explain the civil society organizations in a technical statement.
“It is worth noting that these provisions infringe on the right of immediate access to the asylum application procedure and the principle of non-refoulement of asylum seekers to places where their lives and freedom are at risk,” they conclude.
The Brazilian government has recognized that Venezuela is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread human rights violations, which, according to the organizations, only worsens the discriminatory nature of the decree.
>>> Read the decree in full here
