WILLEMSTAD - The ten illegal Venezuelans detained in Block 1 of Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou (SDKK) must be released. The judge ruled this on Thursday in summary proceedings that had been brought against the Curaçao government.
By law, the place and circumstances of immigration detention must be appropriate and clearly distinct from criminal detention. The judge stated that Block 1 in principle meets the conditions for immigration detention. However, the policy that is applied appears to be stricter than in the rest of the prison.
The judge went to look first-hand at the cells used for the undocumented people. The visit last week took place after the court hearing. The judge determined that the undocumented migrants have to spend eighteen hours a day in "cramped and dark cells," have hardly any recreational opportunities and no meaningful daytime activities.
The cells are stuffy and dark and the lights are only on between 7 and 9 pm. In addition, in the six hours that the Venezuelans are allowed to leave their cells, there is no view of the outside world and no meaningful daytime activities are offered. Criminal detainees, on the other hand, have a sports hall, library and workshop.
The judge considers the policy inadmissible and therefore demands the lifting of detention. Four women had already been released shortly before the summary proceedings were heard. For two of the six men, the waiver only applies if their planned repatriation flight to Venezuela is cancelled.