CMC – Jamaica Wednesday defended the decision to deport more than 29 Haitians who arrived there illegally last week, saying that it acted in accordance with international law.
“Jamaica is a signatory to all the relevant protocols as it relates to persons who find themselves in these positions, and we are ensuring that we follow these protocols,” Information Minister Robert Morgan told the weekly Cabinet news conference.
On Tuesday, 29 Haitians including five women, were fined J$7,000 (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) or face three days hard labour, after they were charged with illegally entering the country.
The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency is making arrangements for the Haitians to return home.
Morgan told reporters that upon arrival, the Haitians were briefed on their rights as illegal immigrants, including the option to apply for asylum. But, he said no application for asylum was made.
“They would have been, based on the treaties that we signed, advised of the rights that they have as persons who entered the country in the circumstances that they have.
“The other thing that we must take into consideration is not to assume that the intended destination of the individuals was Jamaica. There have been circumstances in the past where due to the trade winds, they are seeking to go to the north but they end up in the south. I’m not speculating, but because they have not applied for asylum, then a particular process has to take place from the Jamaican government,” Morgan said.
He told reporters that the decision to deport the Haitians will not affect Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ advocacy for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the international community to work together to address the security and humanitarian crises facing Haiti.
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