CARIBBEAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SAYS FAMILY OF KILLED VENEZUELAN BABY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

By a Staff Reporter: One human rights activist said she believes that the family of the Venezuelan migrant baby who was shot dead over the weekend by T&T Coast Guard officers should be allowed to stay in in the country.

ieNews reached out to Executive Director of the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights Denise Pitcher who said that everyone has the right to seek asylum.

Baby Elvis and his mother Darie Elvis Eliagnis Sarabia were illegally entering T&T on Saturday night from Tucupita when they were ordered to stop by the Coast Guard.

However, the pirogue reportedly did not heed the warning and was shot at. Nine month old Ya Elvis Santoyo was shot and killed in the incident. The family is now seeking permission to stay in the country. The law firm of Criston J Williams has made the application on their behalf.

Ms. Pitcher said what is most concerning, is that the TTCG would have a use of force policy but they still found it reasonable to shoot at a boat with women and children on board.

According to reports, The coast guard said at the time, the occupants of the vessel – 20 children and 17 adults – were not visible. However, persons on the vessel claim that this was not the case and said the officials opened fire without warning.

But Ms. Pitcher said that these claims are questionable as they would be in possession of surveillance technology which would allow them to see what an ordinary vessel cannot.

According to reports, the attorney said his clients are seeking the permits from the Ministry of National Security pending the investigation with regards to the minor on the boat. They also want the United Nations Refugee Agency to facilitate their mandate and ensure that they are permitted and facilitated their safe travel to another country where they may not be persecuted and that their lives may not be in danger.