WILLEMSTAD – A court in Curaçao has dismissed the appeal of a Venezuelan national who sought protection under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), ruling that his request was unfounded. The decision means that his deportation order and a three-year entry ban remain in force.
The man entered Curaçao illegally by boat in April 2024 and was subsequently issued an expulsion order along with a prohibition on re-entering the island for three years. In June 2024, he filed a request for protection, arguing that he would face a real risk of inhuman or degrading treatment if returned to Venezuela.
According to his account, the man claimed to have experienced serious problems due to his alleged involvement with the Venezuelan opposition party Copei. He stated that he had been detained for several years without conviction and said he had been subjected to extortion, abuse, and threats.
The court, however, ruled that the Minister acted with due care in assessing the case and concluded that the man’s statements lacked sufficient detail and credibility. The judge found no evidence of recent persecution or concrete, serious threats that would justify protection under Article 3 of the ECHR. The court also determined that the man’s references to earlier detentions and incidents could not be considered relevant to establishing a current and real risk.
As a result, the deportation order remains valid. The man still has the option to file an appeal, but such proceedings must be initiated within six weeks.