Doubts persist about the conditions under which repatriated citizens would arrive, raising concerns regarding human rights and security.
The Ombudsman’s Office demands clarity from Gustavo Petro’s government about the conditions under which Colombian citizens imprisoned in Ecuador will be repatriated to the country. According to Carlos Camargo, Ombudsman, many doubts persist regarding this process, which could have a significant impact on the human rights of these people, especially in border areas.
Photo: Carlos Camargo, Ombudsman
“Faced with the announcement by the government of Ecuador about the possible expulsion of nationals convicted in that country, I call on the government of Colombia and in particular the immigration authorities to agree with the neighboring country on the legal mechanism for the entry of said people into national territory and respect for the due process of each of them regarding their legal situation is guaranteed,” Camargo pointed out.
For the Ombudsman’s Office, the lack of clarity in the conditions under which these people would return to the country could have a great impact on their human rights. Above all, says the Ombudsman’s Office, in border areas.
“It is necessary that a shock plan be established to prepare the country in case people deprived of liberty must be received, given that it would be an exceptional situation due to the security crisis that the neighboring country is going through” , indicated in the ombudsman.
Currently, in Colombia there are 125 prison establishments with 101,646 citizens serving their sentences, and there is 24.3% overcrowding, according to data provided by the entity.