WILLEMSTAD – Gwendell Mercelina, a member of parliament for the Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP), has raised serious concerns in an official letter to Justice Minister Shalten Hato regarding the death of Colombian woman Leana Carbonell Alvarado on October 2. The woman died while in the custody of the Immigration Service, a division of the Curaçao Police Force (KPC).
Mercelina is demanding clarification about potential human rights violations and the implications for Curaçao’s international reputation.
In his letter, which is also addressed to Parliament President Charetti America-Francisca, Mercelina highlights concerns about the circumstances surrounding Carbonell Alvarado’s death, questioning the procedures and actions of the involved departments. Witnesses have claimed that the woman’s health deteriorated while in detention and that her requests for medical assistance may not have been properly handled.
Mercelina also criticized the authorities for their lack of transparency and proactive communication regarding the incident. It took three days for the Curaçao Police Force to release a statement, which only happened after media pressure. According to Mercelina, this undermines public trust and complicates any evaluation of potential human rights violations.
The MP stressed that this incident could negatively impact Curaçao’s efforts to improve its standing on the U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) list. “This raises serious questions about possible human rights violations and the potential implications for Curaçao’s efforts to score higher on that list,” he wrote.
Sixteen Critical Questions
Mercelina’s questions focus on various aspects of the case: the potential negligence of the authorities, the medical care provided, and the transparency of communication surrounding Carbonell Alvarado’s death. He also inquired about the legal basis of her detention and whether international standards were violated.
Many of the questions are aimed at obtaining more information about the circumstances of the woman’s death, the responsibility of the involved institutions, and the broader implications for Curaçao’s international image. Mercelina is asking for concrete facts and actions, as well as broader policy issues related to human rights and judicial procedures.
As a Christian-democratic parliamentarian and a member of Parliamentarians for Global Action, Mercelina emphasized the importance of safeguarding human rights. “It is our duty to ensure that the rights of all individuals within our jurisdiction are protected, regardless of their nationality or status. This is essential for safeguarding the image of our nation and our people,” he stated.
He also reminded the minister of previous reports from the Council for Law Enforcement and Amnesty International, which concluded that the treatment of immigrants by immigration personnel and the KPC has been lacking. This, according to Mercelina, affects important sectors such as hospitality and tourism on the island.
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Publish date : 2024-10-11 08:19:00
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