Even as a police probe into the alleged sexual assault of a 21-year-old Venezuelan migrant at the Chaguaramas Heliport is underway, attorneys representing the woman are claiming this incident is one of many at the facility.
The Venezuelan woman claimed she was sexually abused while detained at the Coast Guard-manned immigration facility three weeks ago.
The issue was first raised by Caribbean Centre for Human Rights executive director Denise Pitcher during a Joint Select Committee (JSC) hearing on human rights last Friday. Pitcher said the woman had “gone missing” after she reported allegations of sexual abuse at the Heliport.
Guardian Media understands the migrant fled the facility after the alleged assault but on Monday night, she was detained by Central Division police and is now at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Aripo.
Speaking on behalf of their client after meeting her at the IDC on Wednesday, attorney Criston Williams said, “There have been numerous cases we have been involved in, specifically regarding sexual offences, and there have been allegations of modern-day slavery, allegations of senior women taking advantage of young underage girls. There have been allegations of rape and those are just some but there have been a lot of abuses against the human rights of migrants.”
In confirming the incident to Guardian Media, DCP Curt Simon said the woman was detained by the police last Friday and transported to the IDC. He said the investigation is still in its early stages because it was delayed due to the woman’s unavailability.
During the visit to the IDC, lawyers were shown marks on the skin of the 21-year-old migrant alleged to have been made during the assault.
Addressing the issue of law enforcement officers probing their colleagues, Williams said, “We have asked several times for an independent organisation to conduct an audit or analysis of the activities at the Heliport but those pleas have fallen on deaf ears, basically. What happens when military personnel are involved in handling sensitive topics, such as migrants? For example, we know that a baby has been shot and killed via an interception in the open seas. These incidents highlight the need for a comprehensive review, not only of the policy but also of the entire legislative framework.”
Currently, attorneys are in talks with the Ministry of National Security to ensure that safety provisions are being put in place for the woman.
Attorney Bernadette Arneaud added, “First and foremost is the safety of the victim and the victim’s family. I think we are very concerned and we are doing the necessary to ensure the safety of the victim in these circumstances.”