Since the unveiling of the new Barbadian policy on undocumented Caricom citizens which was styled as an “amnesty” but is anything but that, there have been frequent reports that Barbadian immigration workers and security forces have been rounding up illegals in the most uncivilized manner and depositing them at the Grantley Adams Airport for immediate return to this country.
President Jagdeo at a press conference had been asked about this issue and his reply was that he had raised the matter with Prime Minister Thompson of Barbados and his response was that he was not aware of any such raids. It is quite possible that Prime Minister Thompson is unaware of such activities directed against Guyanese and others but given recent detailed reports the Prime Minister would be well advised to actively seek out information on whether his immigration and security forces are engaged in dawn crackdowns against illegals while they are still asleep. The same goes for President Jagdeo. Such crackdowns are unbecoming of an orderly democratic society and a member of a community of nations.
Illegal Guyanese and others in Barbados who don’t meet the onerous conditions set by the Thompson administration’s amnesty are now an extremely vulnerable group and are prone to even more grotesque forms of exploitation and abuse in the hope that they can avoid being cast out of Bridgetown. Many may have already been put out from Barbados under dehumanizing and extreme circumstances but may not want to expose this because of the fear of embarrassment and stigma. Many more are however at risk and this is what should concern the Government here and the Georgetown-headquartered Caricom.
Stabroek News has recently spoken to two Guyanese – a man and a woman – who were unceremoniously removed from Barbados. They narrated being rounded up in the early morning in the midst of sleep and harried in the stupor of being half awake to get themselves and possessions together to be hurriedly removed from the Land of the Flying Fish. Their accounts revealed no opportunity to tidy up their affairs, gather all of their belongings or prepare themselves for the return home.
This cannot – must not – be the manner in which a regional sister nation treats illegals. All those in violation of the laws of Barbados must be brought to book. The normative behaviour in our community of nations is for those who have overstayed their welcome or transgressed the law in any other way to have their day in court. This certainly did not happen in the two cases drawn to the attention of this newspaper and one can only surmise that there are more of these.
Considering the thousands of Guyanese who may now be exposed to this fate, the Government of Guyana’s stance has been remarkably laid back. One hopes that there has been a lot of quiet diplomacy behind the scenes to bring some order and dignity to the repatriation of Guyanese but there is yet no evidence of this from the Office of the President, Takuba Lodge or Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Barbados. There may also be some uneasiness in the government here on the lengths that Guyanese are willing to go and the privations they are prepared to endure in the quest for a better life outside of Guyana even if illegally.
Surely, the Chief Immigration Officer, who is also the Commissioner of Police is now in possession of statistics on the number of Guyanese who have been returned here from Barbados and whether deported or not. Those persons should be interviewed, if willing, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Such information can then be the basis for the Jagdeo administration to dialogue with the Thompson government on easing the pain of the illegals. This conversation shouldn’t even await the upcoming summit of heads here.
Bridgetown is clearly in the right to enforce its national laws and remove aliens who have no documentation or have transgressed the law. It must however do this without humiliating the very people who have provided service to its economy. These persons are entitled to due process, reasonable time to transfer their belongings acquired over a significant period and to prepare themselves for the return.
The UN Convention on Migrant Workers which Guyana has signed and several other Caricom states have ratified but which Barbados has shunned says inter alia in Article 16
7. When a migrant worker or a member of his or her family is arrested or committed to prison or custody pending trial or is detained in any other manner:
(a) The consular or diplomatic authorities of his or her State of origin or of a State representing the interests of that State shall, if he or she so requests, be informed without delay of his or her arrest or detention and of the reasons therefor;
(b) The person concerned shall have the right to communicate with the said authorities. Any communication by the person concerned to the said authorities shall be forwarded without delay, and he or she shall also have the right to receive communications sent by the said authorities without delay;
(c) The person concerned shall be informed without delay of this right and of rights deriving from relevant treaties, if any, applicable between the States concerned, to correspond and to meet with representatives of the said authorities and to make arrangements with them for his or her legal representation.
8. Migrant workers and members of their families who are deprived of their liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings before a court, in order that that court may decide without delay on the lawfulness of their detention and order their release if the detention is not lawful. When they attend such proceedings, they shall have the assistance, if necessary without cost to them, of an interpreter, if they cannot understand or speak the language used.
And Article 17
1. Migrant workers and members of their families who are deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person and for their cultural identity.
2. Accused migrant workers and members of their families shall, save in exceptional circumstances, be separated from convicted persons and shall be subject to separate treatment appropriate to their status as unconvicted persons. Accused juvenile persons shall be separated from adults and brought as speedily as possible for adjudication.
3. Any migrant worker or member of his or her family who is detained in a State of transit or in a State of employment for violation of provisions relating to migration shall be held, in so far as practicable, separately from convicted persons or persons detained pending trial.
Perhaps Article 45 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas wherein it is stated that Member States commit themselves to the goal of free movement of their nationals within the Community is merely aspirational and far from ever being concluded. It is still no reason for Barbados to treat fellow brothers and sisters in this unacceptable manner.
As far as I am concerned from the time PM Thompson made his announcement way back in May, illegal workers should have “tidied up their affairs, gathered all of their belongings AND prepared themselves for the return home”. They already know that they whether or not they meet the conditions for amnesty. Instead they have wilfully and blatantly continued to flout Barbados’ laws and hide out. Many have said that they are not going back voluntarily. Why therefore should the police and immigration warn them of the precise date and time when they will be removed? So that they can abscond yet again? They have already been given sufficient warning. If you choose to work and live illegally in someone else’s country then that is the risk you take.
Illegal workers live in a shadow economy and most of the money they earn is sent out of the island and not back into Barbados’ economy. They don’t pay taxes, they don’t contribute to the NIS – why should I as a hardworking taxpayer be supporting people who don’t contribute to Barbados’ social system but take advantage of our schools, polyclinics, roads, buses and other amenities?
The majority of Barbadians are fully behind PM Thompson. We have the right and the obligation to protect our borders, our economy and our way of life.
you forgot to mention too that they help develop barbados with their hard working skills guyanese are know for, most guyanese go to barbados to work and earn a living just as you people came to guyana in the early 40’s 50’s and 60’s to earn a living so be balance in your comments and dont be one sided when you talk of a hard working people.
tiger, thousands of Guyanese have migrated to Barbados since the 1940s. Thousands of them have made money in Barbados since then. Many are living permanently in Barbados now. Many are now living and working in Barbados with legal work permits. Many are living and working there illegally. Bajans have more than repaid Guyanese for what Guyanese did for them decades ago. Many Bajans who live in Barbados today were not alive in the 1940s and 1950s and cannot be held responsible for things that happened in the past. Guyanese sound childish when they whine about what Guyanese did for Bajans in years gone by.
….”our way of life” ,,,, hmmmm ! leheh see haysuh now ! yuh en talkin bowt “crop ova wid flyin fish an cukoo” is u ??????????
it gat fuh b cos what else is dare pon a rock dat is 21×14 miles ! goh bloine ! what a stretch……
Article 16 and 17 refer to “Migrant Workers” and their rights. David Thompson and government are dealing with illegal immigrants. Big difference.
Do we as a country not wish to become a strong agricultural force in the caribbean? Here’s a suggestion.
The government should welcome those who were ousted from Barbados,Set up a co-op. have them pool whatever funds they would have accquired and with the assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture and its branches (NARI) provide a substantial acreage of land along with duty free allowance on equipment bought, technical assistance etc. Said land could be used for cash crop farming and geared to produce export quality goods. Whatever an individual has invested he would revieve a percentage of same.
Kevon, that sounds too sensible. Guyanese would rather whine and curse Bajans than think about doing something to develop their country.
I am Guyanese living in Barbados. It is true that Guyanese are being rounded up at all hours of the morning, and sent to the Grantley Adams airport for deportation.
Yesterday on a local program called Brastax, a government offical, who was part of a panell, comprising Mr. Farrier,said that he sees no problem with people being rounded up, because they are in breach of Barbados’ law.
A tape was even played on the airwaves, with the voice of a bajan woman who is married to a Guyanese man. The woman said that she was at the airport waiting for her husband, and when she didn’t see him arrive, she decided to enquire and was asked if she doesn’t know that marrying a Guyanese man is bringing someone her to take up space. She also said that when she told the immigration officer that she is finding it difficult to survive without her husband, he told her to find a man to support her, and even offered himself.
You might want to uplift a copy of that tape, since it is being said, in Barbados, that the media in Guyana are overstating the issues.
All Guyanese know that they are to leave Barbados immediately if they have expired work permits. If they choose to stay and break our laws, Bajan immigration officers and the police should use whatever means necessary, short of doing physical harm to them, to get them out of the country. Any time of day is an acceptable time to pick them up. I listened to the program you referenced and I think there is more to the story involving the Bajan woman married to the Guyanese man than we know. He could have run afoul of Bajan immigration in the past. If I am correct, the woman said one of his grandmothers, his parents, and “aunties” live in Barbados. Why was he living in Guyana under the poor conditions she mentioned if his parents and other family members live in Barbados? I think someone is pulling a fast one.
E.M , you are not telling the truth and you know it . The woman said that she waited at the airport for over 2 hours and when her husband did not come out she made inquires with a female immigration officer who told her that her husband was not granted permission to enter Barbados and he will be returning to Guyana . She also said that she was allowed to talk to her husband by phone . The other encounters of which she spoke , took place in Bridgetown , 1st , at the Immigration office and at a later date she said that she saw the said officer that she had spoken to in the office on a street in Bridgetown and on both occasions , he allegedly made unprofessional remarks to her . If she was telling the truth , the Permanent Secretary who was on the programme was also the Chief Immigration officer for 9 years and he said that he never accepted unprofessional behaviour from his officers . The Foreign Minister of Barbados , Ms. Maxine Mc Clean , came on the programme and said that any complaints supported by facts will be dealt with . So E.M , do you want the immigration officers and the police to visit a house where illegal immigrants are hiding and ask them for permission to enter ?? These people have decided to run and hide until they are caught , they have knowingly broke the law . EM , why do you want to live in Barbados , since it is so bad ???
Illegal immigrants have been deported from Barbados for years. The new Barbadian policy was no surprise, when announced, as there was a growing backlash against the swarm of Guyanese and others, entering since 2002. The promises of eventual CSME free movement accelerated the emigration to this relatively prosperous, crime-free island but Barbadians knew that the unlimited migration would have to be curtailed eventually. This is now happening.
There are thousands of Guyanese residents who have lived in Barbados for years and are fully integrated in the society. There are also hundreds who have qualified under the CSME present rules (five categories), who are allowed to work there. Added to this are the agricultural and building trade workers who have work permits to work in Barbados. The thousands of “Illegals”, came on vacation and have overstayed for years, worked and even settled in with their families. They now behave as if they have a right to be here in Barbados. The articles you have published highlighting their removal should also say that they knew they were breaking the laws of Barbados, and should not be surprised that they are being deported.
Illegal immigrants have been deported all the time, but now the process has been accelerated… thus the uproar. It is unlikely that the new policies will be changed and therefore illegals will have to go home voluntarily or be removed. Barbados is a small country and eventually the will have to go. In the meantime the Barbadian government is still approving persons for work permits and CSME approvals to work in Barbados… thus satisfying their CSME agreemments. A managed migration policy for Barbados – a small island of 166 sq miles – is their only option if they want to upkeep their high standard of living.
Barbados strives to be an orderly society. It depends on tourism and therefore a low crime rate is an asset. It also has the highest rating in the human development index in the Caribbean and Latin America. The people of Barbados are concerned that their society cannot deal effectively with an estimated 30,000 illegal immigrants (10% of its population) competing for housing, education and other social services. Illegals also have their children staying home from school; squat in live in substandard housing and have few health services, as they fear being discovered as being illegal. These are valid concerns of the government and people of Barbados. The same could be the case if Guyana was deluged with 75,000 illegal immigrants (10% of their pop). The situation could be untenable for the same reasons.
Guyanese have to start looking inward, and start rebuilding their communities from the ground up. Everyone seems to want to escape and build other countries, leaving Guyana behind with all its natural resources for the few rich and connected, to benefit from. Leadership and and infusion of hope is required, as well as a “Plan to Revitalize Guyana” so that everyone feels they can benefit from the Plan. Georgetown has to again become the beautiful city it was and all Guyanese have to feel involved in the process of making Guyana an attractive place for Guyanese to live in; Guyanese to return to and retire in with their expertise and money; and also a place to attract people from the Caribbean and elsewhere… as it did in the past.
Get over it SN, the PPP and Jagdeo. What “onerous” immigration conditions Barbados has. Because you don’t like it you condemn it. The illegals have to obey the law or be deported. Be big men and women and stoping grumbling and stand for something, i.e. the rule of law and let Barbados implement it. SN you on Barbados and Thompson to be orderly in a democratic society and you let the PPP and Jagdeo get away with disordely behaviour in what you call a democracy. You people cannot be serious!
SN find some new head lines.
you are getting stale with the same twisted crap.
Present(PPP) and past(PNC) Govts. of Guyana are using/have used immigration as a way to ease the pressure building up in the country….a sort of safety valve. But with the economic realities of today, this valve is being closed rapidly. The twin pressures of no overseas work and the inability for remittances to be sent, will hit Guyana together with the ensueing reccession. The day of reckoning for the present Govt is fast approaching…the money from the ‘drug’ trade is also rapidly drying up as ‘kingpins’ fall like bowling pins. With no proper development plan in place the country will experience dire times for the forseeable future….Supply of loans are drying up as many of the donors find themselves on hard times…A massive return to the land is required…..great efforts need to be made in returning people to the land…Just like PNC’s great mistake of getting rid of the train…..the PPP’s dismantling of National Service is showing their lack of vision….as I could now have been used to great advantage in the agri field…..because whatever happens…..the whole world will still need to be fed.
PS: to moderator….why are Circuit City’s ads still on your site???? They have been closed and out of business for months.
In reply to Kevon.
My brother your plan would have much validity in a “normal society”
At present, Guyana is not a “normal society” due to the massive corruption, blatant racism, and extremely poor Governance.I am not a fan of the PNC EITHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE MANY WRONGS IN THE PAST-but we as a people cannot always seek to victimize and keep blaming the previous Govt–we spend too much time doing that and not seeking to work together for our country.
I myself am an Indo –Guyanese and i am pained by the way Afro Guyanese are treated in Guyana and yes, it is highly institutionalized racism.
ALL iNDO GUYANESEif they really love Guyana and have any civic pride in their country need to speak up and denounce racism in all its forms–unless this is abolished along with massive corruption ,poor governance.