The Trinidad and Tobago High Court on Tuesday declared that 1951 Refugee Convention obligations do not apply and cannot be enforced in the twin island republic.
This means that all immigrants are subject to the provisions of the Immigration Act and as a result, all migrant, refugees and asylum seekers can be deported even if they have registered with United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR).
Justice Frank Seepersad presided over the case was brought by Yohan Jesus Rangel Dominguez who was seeking to reverse a decision by the Minister of National Security to issue a deportation order in March this year.
The judge also said that the Court could asertain no identifiable reason to set aside the Minister’s decision to issue a Deportation Order.
Seepersad said that the obligations enumerated under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the principle of non-refoulement do not apply to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as there has been no domestic incorporation.
