OHCHR / VENEZUELA BOAT WRECK

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The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said it was “extremely saddened” by the news that at least 21 Venezuelans who had attempted to reach Trinidad and Tobago died when their boat capsized off the coast of Venezuela, according to a spokesperson. UNTV CH
Description

STORY: OHCHR / VENEZUELA BOAT WRECK
TRT: 2:08
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 15 DECEMBER 2020, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

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Shotlist

FILE - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, Palais des Nations exterior

15 DECEMBER 2020, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. Wide shot, press briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“We are extremely saddened by the news that at least 21 Venezuelans who had attempted to reach Trinidad and Tobago died when their boat capsized off the coast of Venezuela. Search and rescue operations have been continuing amid fears that others may still be missing.”
4. Med shot, journalist
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“We echo, calls by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration for urgent efforts to stop smugglers and human traffickers sending refugees and migrants on dangerous sea journeys.”
6. Med shot, Hurtado speaking to journalists
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“We also urge the Venezuelan and Trinidad and Tobago authorities to coordinate and cooperate to protect the lives and safety of migrants and refugees, including by operating effective search and rescue at sea and by properly, effectively, thoroughly and transparently investigating this tragic incident. It is also extremely important for the two Governments to coordinate and cooperate regarding safe migration routes.”
8. Med shot, videographer
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“We once again call on governments to halt push-backs at sea in violations of the principle of non-refoulement and the prohibition of collective expulsions and to suspend all forced returns amid the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the health of migrants and communities. We encourage governments to instead provide safe and legal pathways for migrants to regularize their status and avoid the risk of deportation.”
10. Various shots, journalists

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Storyline

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said it was “extremely saddened” by the news that at least 21 Venezuelans who had attempted to reach Trinidad and Tobago died when their boat capsized off the coast of Venezuela, according to a spokesperson.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva today, OHCHR spokesperson Marta Hurtado said search and rescue operations have been continuing “amid fears that others may still be missing.”

This represents one of the biggest single losses of life involving Venezuelan refugees and migrants trying to cross the sea to Trinidad and Tobago, which at its narrowest point is only some 15 km from Venezuela.

According to Venezuelan authorities, 21 bodies were found over the weekend in the waters off the town of Güiria in the Venezuelan state of Sucre. So far, the authorities have identified 19 victims, among them four children. According to information received by OHCHR, the boat in question is said to have left Güiria en route to Trinidad and Tobago on 6 December.

Hurtado echoed calls by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) “for urgent efforts to stop smugglers and human traffickers sending refugees and migrants on dangerous sea journeys.”

Hurtado said, “We also urge the Venezuelan and Trinidad and Tobago authorities to coordinate and cooperate to protect the lives and safety of migrants and refugees, including by operating effective search and rescue at sea and by properly, effectively, thoroughly and transparently investigating this tragic incident. It is also extremely important for the two Governments to coordinate and cooperate regarding safe migration routes.”

Last month OHCHR raised concerns over the deportation of 25 Venezuelans, among them 16 children, from Trinidad and Tobago as a legal application was being lodged against their removal. The group spent a couple of days at sea before ending up back in Trinidad and Tobago.

Hurtado called on governments “to halt push-backs at sea in violations of the principle of non-refoulement and the prohibition of collective expulsions and to suspend all forced returns amid the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the health of migrants and communities. We encourage governments to instead provide safe and legal pathways for migrants to regularize their status and avoid the risk of deportation.”

OHCHR said pathways for admission and stay should be consistent with international human rights law and humanitarian considerations and include access to due process and procedural safeguards.

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20361
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UNTV CH
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unifeed201215b
Subject Topical
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MAMS Id
2593136
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2593136