The Caribbean Centre for Human Rights has condemned the recent deportation of Venezuelan nationals.

Over the weekend, 97 persons were taken via boat to Venezuela, following a court battle and a month of being detained at the heliport in Chaguaramas.

The CCHR believes the latest exercise is a violation of international human rights law and the commitments made by T&T as party to the Refugee Convention, which stipulates the rights of asylum seekers and refugees.

It says the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees by the state continues to be arbitrary, inconsistent, and ad hoc, thus highlighting the need to have the Convention reflected in local legislation.

It adds that a refugee policy is also needed to guarantee the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers.