– four Guyanese deported in July
Barbadian authorities are now in possession of documented allegations of ill-treatment meted out to Guyanese who have since been deported from the island.
Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett told this newspaper yesterday that the complaints gathered both at the ministry and the consulate in Barbados were forwarded to Bridgetown for attention recently, and she is awaiting word from the authorities there.
Meanwhile, for July so far only four Guyanese have been deported from Barbados as compared to 53 during May and June, Commissioner of Police Henry Greene revealed yesterday.
It is hoped that the complaints will be investigated as promised by Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson, who, during a press conference here, made it clear that evidence was needed for any investigation to be conducted. Even as he promised the setting up of an interviewing panel to deal with any such allegations, Thompson at his July 1 press conference stood by his officials saying that he had no doubt that the relevant authorities were affording those individuals who were picked up, their full rights.
“I have every confidence that the immigration and law enforcement authorities of Barbados are acting and will act in strict conformity with the laws of Barbados and with full respect for the rights and dignity of the individual,” he said.
He said his government did not condone the abuse of power or inappropriate behaviour on the part of its public officials and if evidence was produced that any of those empowered to take action have been overzealous in carrying out duties, they would be disciplined appropriately.
This prompted the government here to invite persons to visit the ministry to give details of their experiences so that they would have specific cases to confront the Thompson administration with, for investigative purposes.
Yesterday, Rodrigues-Birkett admitted that there were previous issues with information thus the effort to ensure that the complaints reach the authorities.
Asked for a brief overview of those complaints, she explained that while some persons complained of being told ill things about their country, the majority of them were upset with the way they were picked up early in the morning and forcibly sent home with no time to put things in order.
Asked about the investigative panel, Rodrigues-Birkett said she was not aware whether this had been set up by the Barbadian government.
She revealed however that she and her counterpart Senator Maxine McLean have communicated on the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding to deal with such issues.
This was another point raised by Thompson during his press conference as a means of addressing the matter. Rodrigues-Birkett told Stabroek News that based on her information it seems as though things have cooled down a bit, but observed that her ministry intends to remain vigilant to ensure that Guyanese are not treated in any way that goes against their basic rights.
Satisfaction
Immigration was a hot issue at the 30th Caricom meeting of Heads which was held here. Asked whether she felt contented at its conclusion that the issue would be resolved, Rodrigues-Birkett pointed to the fact that Thompson had said that he saw no reason why the applications for work permits put in by many Guyanese would not be granted.
She noted too that Thompson had made it clear that he did not condone maltreatment.
Meanwhile, the minister said too that with all the publicity the Barbadian policy and reactions to it have been receiving, she hopes those Guyanese who remain there who realize they do not qualify for the amnesty will return home and those who qualify would respond accordingly.
“I believe the issue calls for understanding on both sides. We cannot dictate the policies of any state, but just ensure that our citizens are treated properly. But I listened to Prime Minister Thompson when he spoke of the number of work permit applications, some of which have come from Guyanese, it says that they are willing to consider them and I think this is a good sign,” she said.
Those Caricom nationals who entered Barbados before December 31, 2005 and have been residing there without appropriate documentation for eight or more years will be eligible for consideration for regularization. However, they must meet stipulated conditions, which include a full criminal background check. Those who fall outside this eight-year span and who have overstayed their time will be asked to leave, Thompson had said, adding that those who do not leave voluntarily will be deported. He added that managed migration has been a long-standing policy of his Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
The policy was announced on May 5 and came into effect on June 1. Since the announcement of the policy, reports had surfaced about inhumane treatment by immigration officers; the homes of Guyanese being raided in the wee hours and belongings taken away and individuals not found with the necessary documentation being escorted to the airport and ordered to leave.
Barbados has since said it is willing to consider the readmission of persons who have overstayed their time through a protocol or memorandum of understanding but will not swerve from its current policy to regularize undocumented Caricom nationals.
Prime Minister Thompson proposed too the establishment of a formal mechanism for regular consultation and information exchange between Chief Immigration Officers and senior personnel.
I think there are a lot more issues that requires more attention than this, yall believe them bajans give a dam about complaints..the fact is that they don’t want Guyanese there and THAT’S THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nah man, they go send the complaints to Barbados because Bajans are so afraid of the Guyana government. Once the complaints reach Barbados, the Bajan government will hide under the table and pray to god that the Guyanese government don’t come pay them a visit.
Apparently, the government of Guyana believe they have some kind of power. In Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo is king. He can use his power to _______ (fill in the blank), but in the outside world he is nothing to worry about. The Bajans will accept the complaints and push it in a corner and totally forget about it…they may even have a few giggles about the barefaced Guyanese government.
Those who overstay their welcome will not be welcome to stay over.
Sandhurst you are wrong and your comments inflammatory.
Bajans have no problem with Guyanese and Guyanese people and all others having been coming to Barbados for yrs. Barbados does intend to deport illegal persons. Why is that so hard to understand?
Apology required!!!
I think the Barbadian PM David Thompson and all Barbadians owe the Guyanese people an apology, and to promise that they wouldn’t perpetrate inhumane treatment of Guyanese and any other nationals.
If the PM make a public apology to Guyanese, and publicly appeal to his people to desist from such dastardly acts, then it certainly would be a good foundation to heal the divides and to rebuild lost trust. It would clear the air, so to speak. Damage has been done and we can’t be hypocrites by pretending that nothing has happened and that we can surreptitiously toss it under cover.
What about people who wouldn’t be going to these islands to work or live temporarily? What about people who are attending the funeral of a dead acquaintance, gracing a special occasion as a marriage ceremony, or have go there for any other reasons?
What about passing through the airports, when Guyanese are regularly highly disrespected and discriminated against in various ways? I would encourage Guyanese to move with audio and video recording devices to produce the proof, wherever possible and appropriate, of these nasty behaviours towards us.
Talks and more talks: when would there be concrete action? It’s time we walk the talk!!!
Isn’t this rhetoric and nice diplomacy played out?
Going forward, these questions will be answered in the future.
We look forward to change of hearts, ways and attitudes.
Why was that blog from Social Scientist republished, I am 99 % sure that I’ve read that drivel some weeks ago. Are we now recirculating Pig tails in the rice.
This is not news or anything special..
They have a right to implement their country’s laws.
The only thing that should be investigated is if those in authority stole the deportees belongings.
Then take it and throw it in the faces of Wiggins and Thompson.
What purpose will this serve? Even though I dream of the day when Caricom nationals will be able to move freely like how Guyana has become a part of Brazil. Guyanese must understand that there are laws in these countries that say you cannot live here unless I tell you so. It means that after I warn you that you must leave and you don’t, as far as I am concerned you have given up any rights that you claim, you have disrespected me and as such I kick you out however I please.
Talking about Brazil, pretty soon we will be teaching Portugese in schools in Guyana. That’s not bad, what is bad is that thirty years from now Portugese will become our first language and East Indians and Africans will gang up to fight the three to one Brazilian majority. All yuh start thinking bout dah one.
Thats so true, politician need to tell the voting public how there are going to address the illegal brazilians living and working here. Each party contesting the 2011 election need to have a comprehensive strategy on how they plan to address this problem. The balant distruction of the rain forest, not pay royalties on precious minerals and tax evasion by these brazilian miners are some of the things that are upsetting.
What a pity! The earth was created for all mankind. Earth without borders used to belong to all men . Now land and borders have become the root cause of many conflicts, a source of hatred and ethnic cleansing. More wars to come.
If portuguese is to be taught in Guyana then hopefully we guyanese will finally be speaking a proper language. And as for Brazil taking over, Guyana can only benefit. Take Lethem as an example, Brazilians are making that area’a economy thrive.
Bonfim,
The world is protesting Brazil’s destruction of the Amazon (lungs of the planet). So what does Brazil do? The move on to Guyana. They are there for their self-interest. Lets not be fooled. All that glitters is not gold. Brazil wants to rape Guyana’s rainforest. The Takutu bridge should aid in the wanton plundering of OUR national treasure.
Bonfim Girl: I take it that Guyanese do not currently speak a ‘proper’ language? In the same manner that our southern neighbors do not speak Portugal’s Portuguese, I imagine.
For your info Sir – Spanish was replaced by Portuguese in the early 70’s at St. Ignatius Secondary School. Ms Holy Morgan ( sister of Carl Morgan) taught it.
BONFIN GIRL, I do hope that unlike you the rest of Guyana could read and understand the bad English meh ah rite. WITHIN THIRTY YEARS THE FACE OF GUYANA AS WE KNOW IT WILL CHANGE. THOSE OF US WHO BELONG WILL HAVE NO SAY IN THE COUNTRY’S AFFAIRS AS WE WOULD HAVE BEEN LONG AGO OVERAN BY THE BRAZILIAN INVASION. Yes Guyana may be a better place because of the invasion but for who? BONFIN GTRLS GRANDCHILDREN? Mine would not have a say.
Jagdeo, Corbin, Trotman et all, deal with that.
Guyana needs people we should be welcoming brazilians who come here to work not shunning them.
GDF ! You are probably right on the Brazilian angle. But, guess who will own the real estate. Ah Ha ! You own the land, then you own the country. Time’s up !
On the BBC World news recently it was reported that almost 5000 young persons,mainly Blacks are murdered each year in Brazil.
Very misguided.Where is the evidene?Stop spreading wild rumors designed to cause pubic anxiety.If you do not have anything good to write, don’t write.
Well it seems something good is coming from all the rant and rave about barbados immigration system.
Regardless of this man’s unsavory past/present, he is still entitled to proper medical care. Guyana has now become a land of mysteries.
Yuh ah read wan story an yuh a blag am pun wan natha story, you probably need some medical attention yourself, you’re losing your bearing.
Marc, I discovered my mistake and asked SN to delete. I do not see that blog. Anyway, I have made the correct comment. No need to get STUPID over a simple mistake. If you had taken the time to read, you would have seen the correction.
Thompson said what he said to appease the Guyanese people. Submitting a report will not have the deportees recalled to B/dos. It is FINISHED. Time to move on. Guyana cannot give a straight account to its own citizens for corrupt activities that pervade the society – why should Thompson be held to a different standard? Asking of others what you yourself cannot deliver – think NOT!!!!!!
Why should Thompson be held to a different standard? Thompson need to explian to Carocom what is meant by defending of Sovereignty as a member of caricom and the purpose of CSME, the free movements of skills in the region and the early morning arresting of people from their homes and thrown back into their countries with all their belongings left behind??? If he cannot answer these then he may need external help according to Wiggins….
Soldier.
Barbados is a soverign nation. Thompson is tasked with providing the best avenue to the best quality of life for Barbados citizens.
Also, if CSME is about movement of skilled people, then what do illegal unskilled people have to do with it? Stop confusing the argument since you have no leg to stand on.
People come to Barbados legally everyday. If illegal people did following the law, they would not be sent home.
If you overstayed your time in a country, you will face charges.Except in some cases you were held against your will or you had a accident or something. Just try and go visit and get the necessary work permit papers done legally. And all this would not met out to you. ALWAYS PLAN WHEN U GO OVERSEAS IS TO WORK HARD TO BETTER YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY TOO. PRAY ALOT TOO.
SN!Your headline news is no news at all or is this an ad by the AFC party.This is news,Guyanese make up 5% of the immigrant population in French Guiana and 70% of prisonners are foreigners of which half are Guyanese. http://guyane.rfo.fr/
I travel to the Caribbean every year.However I make it a point not to visit Barbados.If every overseas Guyanese stop visiting Baebados either to stay or on a cruise,it will make a statement on their ecaonomy,however small.We cannot sit idly by and allow our fellow Guyanese to be treated with such disrespect.I remember,many Bajans running to Guyana in the 40’s and 50’s and being welcomed with open arms,when things were bad in Barbados.they lived at Uitvlugy,Meten-Meer-zorg,Zeeburg and in the hinterland.They were treated with respect and allowed to earn a living.Shame on them for treating their fellow West Indians with such disrespecr!
Reggie Chee-a-tow
Reggie Chee-a-tow, no amount of threats or boycotts will cause Bajans to allow Guyanese to impose their lawless behavior on Bajan society. We will not allow our country to sink to the murderous depths that Guyanese society has sunk to. Bajans have more than repaid Guyanese for anything Guyanese did for Bajan immigrants decades ago. Bajans employ thousands of Guyanese every year and have been doing so for many years. The Bajan government probably creates more jobs for Guyanese each year than the Jagdeo regime does.
PS. You said you travel to the Caribbean every year. Why don’t you travel to Guyana? Can’t take the lawlessness?
Also, you said, “We cannot sit idly by and allow our fellow Guyanese to be treated with such disrespect.” Why not? You sit idly by and allow the Guyanese government to treat Guyanese with disrespect. You sit idly by and allow Guyanese men to treat Guyanese women with disrespect.
Bajegal, you will never get Guyanese people on SN to ever talk bad about what their gov’t doing to its own people in any blog that have the word “Barbados” in it.
Every man-jack does becomes a gov’t apologist and propagandist whenever they talk about illegal Guyanese in Barbados. The funniest part is that they feel an appeal on SN will EVER make 30,000 Guyanese take up and leave Bim. I bet nuff of them stupsing right now at that idea.
Mr.Chee-a-tow,our obligation is towards those Caricom nationals who are legally residing in Barbados.Our government has in the past and will continue to integrate these people fully into the Barbados community,affording them the same job,educational ,and business oportunities as any other Bajan Citizen,and certainly better prospects than they otherwise would have had if they had opt to stay at home.Any embargo that you are advocating towards Barbados will hurt much more the very people that you professed to care about.Guyanese businesses in Barbados will suffer more,more Guyanese may find themselves jobless,and worst of all,something that you president will not like, is the drying up of those vital remittances back to Guyana. So go ahead, sports,make my day.
To Reggie Chee-a-tow what u should know since u dont come to Bim is that there are a lot of Guyanese informing on Guyanese,calling immigration n so on.Barbados employs a vast amount of people from the region especially Guyana even the rest of Caricom Nationals saying they are to much. I travel a lot rules are rules I aint hearing no Guyanese say so.Canada deported 160 Guyanese n between 700 to 800 waiting to be deported but no Guyanese aint sayin nothing to canada.And u talk about respect i have work along side Guyanese help find work for help them,n so as many bajans but we never get credit for employin n helping so much Guyanese
LOL! Yeah let’s wait and see how fast they investigate the complaints. After all that time only four complaints were collected? Come on Faria you have to get off the blogs and get cracking!
Yuh mad or what? Faria in one of the safest countries in the Caribbean. He probably drinking mauby and eating fish cakes all now.
You feel HE dumb enough to mess up what he got???
You folks are delusional if you think Guyanese in Barbados begging to come home. I bet all them people writing complaints sign it “P.S…. can I come back now :-( “
It only goes to show how out of touch many of these overseas based bloggers are with their fellow Guyanese in Barbados.In Barbados we refer to such as Paling Cocks, they stay on the fence and crow to their hearts content,without really knowing whats going on on the ground.Cock-a-doodleeeeeeeeeee doooooooooooooo.