Organizations request suspension of votes on legislation for migrants

In a letter to the speakers of the Lower House and the Senate, they suggested holding virtual public hearings to discuss urgent proposals on Covid-19 related to migration

Pacaraima RR 23 08 2018 Grupo de imigrantes venezuelanos percorre a pé o trecho de 215 km entre as cidades de Pacaraima e Boa Vista.Marcelo Camargo/Ag. Brasil

On Friday, April 3, dozens of civil society organizations asked the speakers of the Lower House of Congress and the Senate, Rodrigo Maia and Davi Alcolumbre, and the leaders of Congress to suspend votes on any bill that addresses the interests of migrants and refugees that is not directly associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

In the letter, the organizations also asked that the other bills involving these people that are related to Covid-19 be subject to a prior consultation by specialized institutions on the topic of migration and asylum, and they suggested holding virtual public hearings before the decisions of members of Congress on the issues.

The goal of the organizations is to ensure the rights migrants and avoid any decisions that could be xenophobic or restrictive.