Today, three Belizeans accused of facilitating human smuggling went to Magistrate's Court in Orange Walk. They are two Orange Walk residents, 37 year old's Avid Briceño, a teacher from Orange Walk and 30 year old freight driver Nair Castillo along with 36 year old Saul Blanco, from Belmopan City.
They were arraigned today on the charge of aiding 18 immigrants to illegally transit Belize en route to Mexico. They all pled not guilty - and were offered bail of amount of three thousand dollars which they met.
And while they were emailed, the Cubans who appeared yesterday were back in court today where they all changed their plea to guilty, except one. They were all fined $1,000 dollars plus $5 dollars cost of court.
Today, the Human Rights Commission of Belize sent out its release on these and other Cubans who have recently arrived in Belize. They are responding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which sent out is release yesterday suggesting that these Cubans are abusing the refugee program - to to avoid repatriation.
Well, the Human Rights office says, quote, "there is nothing unlawful or illegal about anyone entering Belize without proper papers and requesting asylum. The person(s) should be directed to the Refugee Office that was established specifically for that purpose." End quote. About the Cubans who applied for refugee status and then left the country illegally, the Human Rights Commission notes, quote, "They were free to leave, and the law that was broken was that they left in contravention of immigration laws which require that you leave through specified exit points. We all have freedom of movement and no restriction had been placed on them. Additionally, in our country we have unmanned, uncontrolled borders."
