Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, says the government is adhering to Jamaica’s refugee policy in the wake of Haitian refugees being sent home after landing on the eastern end of the island by way of boat.

“Jamaica is the only country in the Caribbean, now, that has a refugee policy, and we do stick to that policy; Jamaica is compliant with our policy and best practice,” Johnson Smith informed while responding to questions from opposition members in the Senate on Friday regarding the repatriation of Haitian nationals from Jamaica.

Haiti has been experiencing humanitarian, security, socio-economic and political crises, resulting in a number of its citizens fleeing to and seeking asylum in other countries, including Jamaica.

Regarding the government’s treatment of these individuals upon arrival, Johnson Smith, who is Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, pointed out that, “there is a [legal] process.”.

“When someone claims asylum or claims refugee status, there is a legal process to prove that you are in fact entitled to that,” she explained, adding that “there are several persons [whose cases] are now under appeal”. Johnson Smith underscored the Administration’s sensitivity of the matter and efforts to ensure the appropriateness of the response, and that the “best possible approach is taken”.

She informed that Haitians who have been repatriated from Jamaica, have been sent home with the consent of Haiti’s Government and their prior notification.

“They have been treated with dignity. There has been no random or arbitrary detentions. We are also in touch with the Haitian Government… I am in touch with my counterpart Dominique Dupuy,” she said.

Johnson Smith said the Jamaican Government continues to manage these circumstances with dignity, consideration and within the law. “We view our managed and, I think, less numerically significant actions in respect of the repatriation of Haitians to be the best possible balance at this time,” the minister stated.

Meanwhile, Johnson Smith advised that discussions are being held with CARICOM Foreign Affairs Ministers regarding the recent announcement by the government of the Dominican Republic that it would deport up to 10,000 Haitians a week. “We are deeply concerned because there is quite a distinction to be made between mass deportations which are difficult to manage, which can create chaos, which create… administrative and socio-economic weight, as opposed to where we are, engaged directly as we are and managing smaller numbers in return,” she said.

Johnson Smith pointed out, however, that the government recognises the right of countries to manage their national circumstances. “It’s a difficult situation. We don’t support mass deportation at all… it is a matter of great concern to us. But we recognise the right of countries to manage their national circumstances as well, as Jamaica is doing,” she said. “We are working on the fundamental side [in terms of providing] all the support that can be given within our means and within the law, and all that can be done, again, within the law, including the accordance of consular visits and our engagement directly with the Haitian Government on matters of repatriation,” Johnson Smith stated.

Regarding the crises affecting Haiti, Senator Johnson Smith informed that incidents, particularly involving gangs “are generally in [the capital] Port-au-Prince”.

“There is now some seepage [outside Port-au-Prince]… but they are not present everywhere in Haiti,” she told the Senate.