Freedom Imaginaries criticises gov't for rapid return approach to Haitian migrants

 

International human rights lobby group, Freedom Imaginaries, has slammed the government over what it describes as a rapid return policy approach for the growing number of Haitians fleeing to Jamaica.

 

Founder, Malene Alleyne says the government's approach ignores the rights of asylum seekers by not allowing due process or for proper asylum procedures to take course.

 

She says the government is yet to respond to any of the applications made for asylum status. 

 

"Since the asylum request from the first group, all of the other three groups that came, none of the requests for asylum have been answered. I take it that the government policy right now is not to respond or accept any requests for asylum which is why I say the policy is one of rapid return, without due process, without access to an asylum procedure," she argued. 

 

Ms. Alleyne was speaking at a press conference Monday morning.

 

A group of more than 30 Haitian migrants who arrived in Jamaica in July, and have sought asylum, are still awaiting the outcome of that procedure. 

 

Three other groups of migrants who arrived in Jamaica since then have been quickly sent back to Haiti.