Nine Haitian migrants sent home

 

The nine Haitians who were intercepted near Hope Bay, Portland, on Monday have been sent home.

 

The Haitians reportedly boarded a JDF coast guard vessel shortly before 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in Port Antonio, after being transported by the police from a holding area at Manchioneal in the parish.

 

Human rights attorney with Freedom Imaginaries, Malene Alleyne, is questioning the reasons for the rush in repatriating the Haitians.   

 

"Why is it that Haitians can't have equal access to the rights that other migrants are enjoying? Why is it that in Guyana there is a programme in place involving United Nations agencies and the government that allows them entry and access to protection services? Why is it that Ukrainians have access to an effective procedure for a determination of their refugee status? Why is it that all of these things are happening and Haitians must continuously and systematically be excluded from these protection services? It's unfair and it must end right now," she declared. 

 

Ms. Alleyne accused members of the security forces of engaging in intimidation tactics when she tried to speak with the Haitians. 

 

"I understand the security concerns that Jamaica has and there's a way to deal with it. No one is asking Jamaica not to address those concerns, we're just asking for due process, but I can't understand why an attorney-at-law must be intimidated by heavily armed soldiers and heavily armed police officers. It is not right, it is not necessary," she complained, insisting this "heavy-handed, militarised approach is just not helpful".