RIO DE JANEIRO: The Brazilian government Tuesday said it will create a reception center for deported migrants from the United States following controversy over conditions on a recent deportation flight.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gave the green light to establish a humanitarian reception post at Confins, a municipality in Minas Gerais state, Brazil’s Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship Macaé Evaristo told journalists in the capital Brasilia.
That decision was made because of the possibility that more flights will follow the arrival of an initial flight to Brazil under the new Trump administration with 88 deportees on board this weekend. That followed dozens of flights during the Biden administration.
Local media reported that government officials were disturbed by the fact that Brazilians were kept handcuffed after an unscheduled stop in the Amazon’s biggest city, Manaus, prompted by technical problems with the plane.
A Brazilian military plane brought them to their destination, the city of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, on Saturday afternoon.
The next day, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was seeking answers from Washington regarding the “degrading treatment” of nationals during the recent flight. It cited “the use of handcuffs and chains, the poor condition of the aircraft, with a broken air conditioning system, among other problems.”
The US Embassy declined to comment and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency didn’t respond to an email request for comment.
It was unclear whether the 88 Brazilian deportees were taken into custody during the tenure of President Donald Trump, who took office Jan. 20, or former President Joe Biden.
There have been almost four dozen deportation flights from the US to Brazil over the past three years. Brazil has no desire to interrupt them and held talks with the American charge d’affaires on Monday, according to a government source with knowledge of the matter. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.
Brazil has permitted the use of handcuffs in exceptional circumstances, but not indiscriminately and there must be an evaluation of risk, the person said.
Authorities are looking into how many were handcuffed. There have been passenger reports that the plane’s air conditioning suffered problems, causing intense heat in the cabin, and they exited through the emergency door upon landing in Manaus.
Commenting on the humanitarian center, Evaristo said the objective was to “ensure that these passengers have good conditions for water, food and even temperature, which I think was the most damaging aspect” in the first flight.
“We don’t want to provoke the American government, but it’s essential that deported Brazilians are treated with dignity,” Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said on Monday.
Brazil to set up deportee reception center after contentious flight from US
https://arab.news/y5s33
Brazil to set up deportee reception center after contentious flight from US
Britain’s King Charles honors UK train attack ‘hero’ Samir Zitouni
- Zitouni was hailed a hero for protecting passengers during a knife attack on a train in England last month
LONDON: King Charles met “heroic ” British-Arab train guard Samir Zitouni at a reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
Zitouni was hailed a hero for protecting passengers during a knife attack on a train in England last month.
The king was pictured shaking hands with Zitouni, who was seriously injured when he intervened as an attacker stabbed passengers on a Doncaster to London service on Nov. 1.
The train was diverted to Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire following the incident.
Known as Sam to friends, Zitouni attended the reception with his wife, Eleni Sakkoulei, alongside members of the public and railway staff who displayed exceptional bravery during the attack.
The suspect arrested in connection with the incident has been charged with multiple offenses, including possession of a bladed article on Nov. 1, as well as other offenses in the hours leading up to the attack.
He remains in custody pending court hearings scheduled for next year.
A GoFundMe page set up to support Zitouni, who has worked for LNER for more than 20 years, has raised almost £80,000 ($107,000).
In a statement shared on the crowdfunding page, Zitouni’s wife said he “acted as a shield to protect the lives of others,” adding that he would do the same “for anyone, regardless of color, age, gender, religion or origin.”
Fund organizer Gemma Royce said the appeal was launched while Zitouni was in critical condition in hospital, to allow the family to focus on his recovery.
LNER managing director David Horne said Zitouni’s actions were “incredibly brave,” adding that the company was proud of all staff who showed courage during the incident.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Mr. Zitouni had gone to work to do his job and “left a hero,” while shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said he would be nominating him for a gallantry award.
