Last week, we told you about the 9 Cubans who were facing deportation by the Ministry of Immigration. 7 of them are adults, one of whom is a pregnant woman, and there are 2 children.
Our information points to myriad complications with this case, but they were initially detained on February 15. They were subsequently held at the Belize Central Prison for 50 days until last Wednesday when they were being sent back to Cuba on a TAG Airline flight. But, the Human Rights Commission made a last-minute intervention by way of an application for habeas corpus to the Supreme Court. Their deportation was put on pause to allow the court to review the matter.
Justice Lisa Shoman heard arguments from their attorney, Leo Bradley, who is also the President of the Human Rights Commission, as well as the Attorney General's Ministry. Their attorney attempted to urge the court to grant them bail until the court could address their application for habeas corpus. But, the Government, which was represented by Crown Counsel Agassi Finnegan, objected on the grounds that they are a flight risk, and can easily be lost within Belize's borders.
She also pointed out to the court that the applicants did not submit all the necessary documents needed for the case to be properly before the court. So, Justice Shoman adjourned the case for next Monday, April 11.
Unfortunately, the presiding judge could not make any different arrangements than the prison as their detention facility. She has expressed her desire to deliver a decision by the following day on this application after it is heard. She has also ordered that the children be allowed to speak to their mother for 1 hour every day.
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