Latest news with #Mervin
eNCA
22-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Venezuela says migrants were tortured in Salvadoran prison
Venezuela announced a probe Monday into torture claims by 252 migrants the United States had sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison where they said they were beaten, sexually abused and fed rotten food. Attorney General Tarek William Saab presented photos and testimonies at a news conference in Caracas of some of the men, who said they had feared not making it out alive. Several had bruises on their bodies, marks of being shot with rubber bullets, and one had a split lip. Andry Hernandez Romero, a 32-year-old beautician among those sent to the notorious CECOT prison as part of US President Donald Trump's migrant crackdown, said he barely survived the ordeal. "We were going through torture, physical aggressions, psychological aggressions," he said in a video presented by Saab. "I was sexually abused." AFP | Pedro MATTEY Saab said the prosecutor's office was interviewing the returned migrants. Many spoke of being held in "inhuman cells," deprived of sunlight and ventilation, and given rotten food and unsafe drinking water. The men had no access to lawyers or their relatives, and the last time many of them were seen was when President Nayib Bukele's government issued photos of them arriving at the prison shackled and with their heads shorn. - 'Mom, it's Mervin' - By Monday afternoon, the migrants had not yet been reunited with their families. Officials said they were undergoing medical exams, being issued with new Venezuelan ID cards, and interviewed by the prosecutor's office. Mercedes Yamarte, 46, told AFP she was preparing a welcome party for her 29-year-old son Mervin -- one of the men released from the prison Bukele built as part of his mass anti-gang crackdown. She had put up balloons, banners and prepared food at their home in a poor neighborhood of Maracaibo in northern Venezuela, but had no idea when to expect him. At lunchtime on Monday, she received a call, and heard the words: "Mom, it's Mervin." "I hadn't heard my son's voice in four months and seven days, listening to him was a joy, a joy I cannot describe," she told AFP. - Crimes against humanity - The men were accused in the United States of being gang members and flown in March to El Salvador, after Trump invoked rarely used wartime laws to deport the men without court hearings. Their treatment elicited an international outcry. Saab said the Venezuelan investigation would target Bukele and other Salvadoran officials for alleged crimes against humanity. And he urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council to act. The men were freed last Friday and flown back home in what the Trump administration said was an exchange for 10 Americans or US residents and dozens of "political prisoners" held in Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro on his TV show Monday claimed Bukele had tried "last minute" to prevent the migrants from leaving. "You could not stop the first plane, but for the second plane he put some car on the runway... to provoke either an accident or prevent them from leaving," he said. AFP | Federico PARRA Venezuela itself faces an investigation by the ICC in The Hague, with similar allegations of torturing prisoners and denying them access to legal representation. Hundreds of people are held for political reasons in Venezuela, according to rights group Foro Penal. Some 2,400 people were arrested, 28 killed and 200 injured in a crackdown on protests that broke out last July after Maduro claimed victory in elections he is widely accused of having stolen. On Sunday, Maduro's government insisted negotiations for the migrants' release were held "only with the United States of America" and not "the clown" Bukele. By Javier Tovar With Margioni Bermudez In Maracaibo
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Venezuela says migrants were tortured in Salvadoran prison
Venezuela announced a probe Monday into torture claims by 252 migrants the United States had sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison where they said they were beaten, sexually abused and fed rotten food. Attorney General Tarek William Saab presented photos and testimonies at a news conference in Caracas of some of the men, who said they had feared not making it out alive. Several had bruises on their bodies, marks of being shot with rubber bullets, and one had a split lip. Andry Hernandez Romero, a 32-year-old beautician among those sent to the notorious CECOT prison as part of US President Donald Trump's migrant crackdown, said he barely survived the ordeal. "We were going through torture, physical aggressions, psychological aggressions," he said in a video presented by Saab. "I was sexually abused." Saab said the prosecutor's office was interviewing the returned migrants. Many spoke of being held in "inhuman cells," deprived of sunlight and ventilation, and given rotten food and unsafe drinking water. The men had no access to lawyers or their relatives, and the last time many of them were seen was when President Nayib Bukele's government issued photos of them arriving at the prison shackled and with their heads shorn. - 'Mom, it's Mervin' - By Monday afternoon, the migrants had not yet been reunited with their families. Officials said they were undergoing medical exams, being issued with new Venezuelan ID cards, and interviewed by the prosecutor's office. Mercedes Yamarte, 46, told AFP she was preparing a welcome party for her 29-year-old son Mervin -- one of the men released from the prison Bukele built as part of his mass anti-gang crackdown. She had put up balloons, banners and prepared food at their home in a poor neighborhood of Maracaibo in northern Venezuela, but had no idea when to expect him. At lunchtime on Monday, she received a call, and heard the words: "Mom, it's Mervin." "I hadn't heard my son's voice in four months and seven days, listening to him was a joy, a joy I cannot describe," she told AFP. - Crimes against humanity - The men were accused in the United States of being gang members and flown in March to El Salvador, after Trump invoked rarely used wartime laws to deport the men without court hearings. Their treatment elicited an international outcry. Saab said the Venezuelan investigation would target Bukele and other Salvadoran officials for alleged crimes against humanity. And he urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council to act. The men were freed last Friday and flown back home in what the Trump administration said was an exchange for 10 Americans or US residents and dozens of "political prisoners" held in Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro on his TV show Monday claimed Bukele had tried "last minute" to prevent the migrants from leaving. "You could not stop the first plane, but for the second plane he put some car on the runway... to provoke either an accident or prevent them from leaving," he said. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado labeled the process as an "exchange of prisoners of war" during a television interview Monday. Venezuela itself faces an investigation by the ICC in The Hague, with similar allegations of torturing prisoners and denying them access to legal representation. Hundreds of people are held for political reasons in Venezuela, according to rights group Foro Penal. Some 2,400 people were arrested, 28 killed and 200 injured in a crackdown on protests that broke out last July after Maduro claimed victory in elections he is widely accused of having stolen. On Sunday, Maduro's government insisted negotiations for the migrants' release were held "only with the United States of America" and not "the clown" Bukele. jt/nn/jgc/mtp
DW
22-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Venezuela says US migrants were tortured in El Salvador – DW – 07/22/2025
Venezuela has launched an investigation into the alleged torture of its citizens in El Salvador prison. The Venezuelan citizens who had been deported from the US to the prison were released on Friday. The Venezuelan Attorney General office on Monday announced an investigation into allegations of torture of migrants sent to an El Salvador prison from the US. The more than 250 Venezuelans were returned home on Friday in a prisoner exchange with the US. They had been detained in the notorious Terrorisom Confinement Center, or CECOT, prison in El Salvador since a press conference on Monday, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab showed videos of former detainees describing human rights abuses and showing injuries. Saab said prisoners suffered several kinds of mistreatment, including sexual abuse, beatings, denial of medical care or treatment without anesthesia, and that they were given rotten food. He said that his office will investigate El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro and Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza for the alleged mistreatment and human rights abuses of the Venezuelans. Andry Hernandez Romero, a 32-year-old beautician among those sent to the prison, described the abuses in a video presented by Saab. "We were going through torture, physical aggressions, psychological aggressions," he said "I was sexually abused." Many spoke of being held in inhumane cells, deprived of sunlight and ventilation. They had no access to lawyers or relatives. The Venezuelan governement has said the group will be medically assessed, interviewed, and issued new Venezuelan ID cards before being returned home. Bukele's office has not yet responded to the abuse allegations. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Venezuelan migrants spent months detained in the maximum-security prison after being deported by the US. They had been sent to the CECOT prison after U.S. President Donald Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. This rarely used wartime law led to deportations without court hearings and resulted in an international outcry. Many family members and lawyers of the accused denied any gang ties. They were released on Friday in exchange for 10 US nationals jailed in Venezuela. The opposition coalition in Venezuela has celebrated the release of the prisoners, but said on Sunday that nearly 1,000 people remain jailed in Venezuela for political reasons, with 12 arrested in recent days. Venezuela itself faces an investigation by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Mercedes Yamarte, mother of one of the men released on Friday, told French news agency AFP that she was preparing a welcome party for her 29-year-old son Mervin. On Monday, she received a call and heard "Mom, it's Mervin." "I hadn't heard my son's voice in four months and seven days, listening to him was a joy, a joy I cannot describe," she said.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
New Zealand's Muslim And Jewish Organisations Join As Signatories To The Harmony Accord At Government House
Today, leaders from New Zealand's Muslim and Jewish organisations gathered at Government House in Auckland to present the New Zealand Harmony Accord to the Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro. This landmark agreement affirms their shared commitment to promoting understanding, rejecting hate, and strengthening social cohesion in New Zealand. 'This Accord is a powerful statement of unity, courage, and compassion,' says Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand. 'It reminds us that dialogue, even when difficult, is the foundation of a peaceful and inclusive nation. I commend those who have worked so tirelessly to bring this vision to life.' 'To the leaders here today, you have my deepest respect. Your commitment to dialogue, to mutual respect, and to standing together in difficult times is something we can all learn from. Thank you for your leadership and for the example you have set,' says Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities. More than 70 guests attended, including Members of Parliament, senior faith leaders, and community representatives. Participants and guests at the ceremony included Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Juliet Moses (President of the New Zealand Jewish Council), Ibrar Sheikh (President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand), Phillip Green (Jewish Community Security Group), Avigail Allan (Dayenu), and Salman Momin, Member for New Zealand, (The Aga Khan Council for Australia and New Zealand). This Accord is about enabling diverse perspectives to co-exist and mutual respect still afforded even through challenging times,' says Mervin Singham, Chief Executive of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. 'It speaks to the everyday New Zealander who believes in respect, dignity, and belonging. 'The Ministry recognises that the journey toward consensus has been challenging, especially in today's global climate where tensions and emotions run high,' says Mervin. At this stage, the Accord has begun with national organisations ready to lead efforts to strengthen relationships within and between communities, with the vison that other organisations who wish to participate can join over time, ensuring it remains inclusive, evolving, and enduring. 'That these Jewish and Muslim organisations in New Zealand have come together to sign this Accord is a powerful testament to their shared commitment to dialogue. Very importantly, the Accord does not take away respective organisations' right to advocate for what they believe in,' says Mervin. The Ministry supports a range of initiatives that promote social inclusion, including funding through the Ethnic Communities Development Fund and a national behaviour-change campaign to promote empathy and respect. Notes: The New Zealand Harmony Accord was signed by: o The New Zealand Jewish Council o The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) o The Holocaust Centre in New Zealand o Dayenu o His Highness the Aga Khan Council for Australia and New Zealand o The Jewish Community Security Group • The Accord can be accessed on the Ministry for Ethnic Communities website: • The Harmony Accord outlines a set of shared values and commitments, including: o Rejecting all forms of hate, extremism, and discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia o Fostering trust, leadership, and safety within and between communities o Promoting pluralism and interfaith respect o Supporting education and dialogue to challenge prejudice and foster understanding o Standing together in times of both celebration and challenge
Int'l Business Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Venezuela Says Migrants Were Tortured In Salvadoran Prison
Venezuela announced a probe Monday into torture claims by 252 migrants the United States had sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison where they said they were beaten, sexually abused and fed rotten food. Attorney General Tarek William Saab presented photos and testimonies at a press conference in Caracas of some of the men, who said they had feared not making it out alive. Several had bruises on their bodies, marks of being shot with rubber bullets, and one had a split lip. Andry Hernandez Romero, a 32-year-old beautician among those sent to the notorious CECOT prison as part of US President Donald Trump's migrant crackdown, said he barely survived the ordeal. "We were going through torture, physical aggressions, psychological aggressions," he said in a video presented by Saab. "I was sexually abused." Saab said the prosecutor's office was interviewing the returned migrants. Many spoke of being held in "inhuman cells," deprived of sunlight and ventilation, and given rotten food and unsafe drinking water. The men had no access to lawyers or their relatives, and the last many of them were seen was when President Nayib Bukele's government issued photos of them arriving at the prison shackled and with their heads shorn. By Monday afternoon, the migrants had not yet been reunited with their families. Officials said they were undergoing medical exams, being issued with new Venezuelan ID cards, and interviewed by the prosecutor's office. Mercedes Yamarte, 46, told AFP she was preparing a welcome party for her 29-year-old son Mervin -- one of the men released from the prison Bukele built as part of his mass anti-gang crackdown. She has put up balloons, banners and prepared food at their home in a poor neighborhood of Maracaibo in northern Venezuela, but has no idea when to expect him. At lunchtime on Monday, she received a call, and heard the words: "Mom, it's Mervin." "I hadn't heard my son's voice in four months and seven days, listening to him was a joy, a joy I cannot describe," she told AFP. The men were accused in the United States of being gang members and flown in March to El Salvador, after Trump invoked rarely used wartime laws to deport the men without court hearings. Their treatment elicited an international outcry. Saab said the Venezuelan investigation would target Bukele and other Salvadoran officials for alleged crimes against humanity. And he urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council to act. The men were freed last Friday and flown back home in what the Trump administration said was an exchange for 10 Americans or US residents and dozens of "political prisoners" held in Venezuela. Venezuela itself faces an investigation by the ICC in The Hague, with similar allegations of torturing prisoners and denying them access to legal representation. Hundreds of people are held for political reasons in Venezuela, according to rights group Foro Penal. Some 2,400 people were arrested, 28 killed and 200 injured in a crackdown on protests that broke out last July after President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in elections he is widely accused of having stolen. On Sunday, Maduro's government insisted negotiations for the migrants' release were held "only with the United States of America" and not "the clown" Bukele. There had been little to no news on the Venezuelan men's fate since the US deported them to El Salvador in March 2025 AFP The 252 men were accused -- without evidence -- of being gang members and flown to the notorious CECOT 'anti-terror' jail in March AFP
