Refugee application to prompt rights to defecting Cuban doctor
The chairman of the National Committee for Refugees (Conare), Paulo Abrão, said Wednesday (Feb. 5) that once she applies for asylum in Brazil, Cuban doctor Ramona Matos Rodríguez will have the same “privileges and be isonomic with any Brazilian citizens” during the consideration period.
He added that, as a refugee, Rodríguez will even be eligible to have Brazilian documents, bank accounts, and employment and tax affiliations. However, she will be barred from working as a doctor, because her termination from the More Doctors Program will revoke her temporary license to practice in Brazil.
Abrão said that the grounds for refugee claim should be related to the doctor's home country, since she is seeking protection for fear of persecution outside Brazil. He further explained that factors that weigh into Conare's decision include fear of persecution based on political views, race, or social groups, or serious and widespread human rights violations.
Rodríguez spent Tuesday night (Feb. 4-5) in refuge at the office of the leader of the Democratas (DEM) party in the Chamber of Deputies, Mendonça Filho, who filed her refugee application with Conare on Wednesday (Feb. 5). She said that she has no plans at the moment other than take some rest, and that she feels like a free individual now.
In a meeting with Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo, party leaders urged for investigations into reports that she was being monitored by the Federal Police.
Also on Wednesday, Health Minister Arthur Chioro announced that the Brazilian government has already taken action to terminate Rodríguez's contract with the More Doctors program, which according to Cardozo, is a condition for her to be eligible to apply for asylum.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Refugee application to prompt rights to defecting Cuban doctor
