In a crucial meeting on March 19, 2025, Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco is urged to unveil the migration agreement with the United States. Human Rights Watch insists that this should include allowing third-country nationals, recently deported from the US, to seek asylum in Costa Rica. Recently, 200 individuals, including many children from various countries including Afghanistan and Vietnam, were deported on flights into Costa Rica, currently residing in a temporary reception facility near the Panama border.
Critics have voiced concerns over the apparent complicity of Costa Rica in US actions, with Michael Garcia Bochenek from Human Rights Watch emphasising the need for Costa Rican authorities to identify potential refugee statuses and protect individuals from being sent back into harmful situations. Despite claims from US and Costa Rican officials that deportees wish to return home, interviews reveal that many are fleeing persecution and explicitly seeking asylum.
US officials use a method called “expedited removal,” which has been described as violating their own laws. Individuals seeking asylum must be assessed through thorough interviews. However, numerous accounts indicate that deportees, such as a woman fleeing religious persecution in Iran and an extended Afghan family, were swiftly deported to Costa Rica without proper legal procedures, missing out on opportunities to present their claims.
Conditions within Costa Rica’s migrant reception center have also been raised as concerning, especially for children. Families are currently being held without adequate educational opportunities or structured activities, impacting the well-being of the young ones. Costa Rican officials contend that the entry is merely a temporary measure, raising questions about the right to asylum and the treatment of those in their care.
In light of these critical issues, the Legislative Assembly has called on the foreign minister to clarify the terms of the agreement with the US. Human Rights Watch insists on transparency regarding the asylum process. There is an urgent need for Costa Rica to uphold the rights of migrants and ensure their safety post-deportation from the United States.
Costa Rican authorities are urged to allow third-country nationals deported from the US to seek asylum. 200 individuals, including children, arrived recently in an inadequate reception facility. Human Rights Watch highlights potential violations of their rights, calling for transparency regarding US immigration agreements. Conditions at the reception centre are also under scrutiny, particularly for children.
Costa Rica stands at a crossroads regarding its role in international asylum matters, particularly with the recent deportation agreements with the US. The call for transparency and adherence to human rights principles is vital, especially for vulnerable children and families. It is imperative that Costa Rican authorities acknowledge and respect the right to seek asylum, ensuring proper opportunities and fair treatment for those arriving in search of safety.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
