Guyana needs humanitarian procedures for Venezuelans

Several organisations including the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA), Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated, Roman Catholic Church in Guyana and Policy Forum Guyana have issued a statement calling on the Government of Guyana to materialise humanitarian measures for Venezuelans.
The entities are calling on the Judiciary and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to cease the immediate practice of jailing and fining illegal Venezuelan immigrants.
They are also asking the immigration authorities to respect Guyana’s international human rights obligation to children who should not be separated from their families.
Additionally, the current Administration is also urged to give effect on the exhortation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This can be done by initiating more flexible procedures with regards to the lack of documentation and also providing Venezuelans who are seeking temporary residence with security of tenure for a period of one or two years, including permission to work .
A proposal has also been made for urgent revision and publication of any procedures applicable to Venezuelan-Guyanese citizens who would facilitate their remaining time in Guyana and that the immigration authorities devise a form of temporary identification (ID) card which can be provided to Venezuelans desirous of remaining in Guyana but not claiming refugee status.
In association with immigration authorities, they are proposing that the Toshaos in remote border communities should be authorised and empowered to implement a registration procedure of Venezuelans who are crossing the border.
Finally, all Guyanese, whether individual or organisation, are asked to develop a positive approach towards displaced Venezuelans which is a critical component.
It is with these proposed requests brought forward by the entities mentioned, with the intention of asserting a bear on a refugee crisis. This is also to send assurance to Venezuelans that they will not be treated like criminals. Since 2015, the World Bank estimates that approximately 665,400 citizens left the country of Venezuela, as a result of the growing severity of the food shortage.