By Dennis  Minott

Introduction: A Cruel Rejection in the Face of Crisis
In the dead of night, 42 Haitian souls—children, women, and men—were swiftly expelled from Jamaica’s shores by the Andrew Holness-led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government. Their crime? Fleeing the hellscape of Haiti, a nation suffocating under gang rule, collapsed governance, and systemic violence. This act, devoid of due process or empathy, betrays not only international humanitarian principles but also a centuries-old legacy of solidarity between Jamaica and Haiti. This is a moral failure—one that demands condemnation and urgent rectification.

I. Haiti’s Historic Legacy: Beacon of Freedom in the Caribbean
The First Black Republic and Its Radical Empathy
In 1804, Haiti emerged as the world’s first Black republic after overthrowing French colonial rule and slavery in a revolution that shook empires. This triumph was not kept to itself. In 1816, Haitian President Alexandre Pétion provided Simón Bolívar with arms, ships, and sanctuary on the condition that he abolish slavery in liberated Latin American territories. Haiti’s aid was pivotal in Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela’s independence. As scholar Edward Paulino notes, “Haiti gave birth to the very idea of liberation in the Americas.” Yet today, as Haiti burns, its descendants are met with indifference by those who once benefited from its courage.

Sanctuary for the Oppressed
Haitians’ tradition of sheltering the persecuted continued through history. In the 19th century, Haitian ports welcomed Jamaican Maroons escaping British persecution. During the 1960s, Haiti temporarily hosted Cuban refugees despite political tensions. This ethos of kinship—rooted in shared trauma of colonialism—stands in stark contrast to Jamaica’s recent actions.

II. Jamaica’s Debt to Haiti and the Hypocrisy of Forgetting
Parallels in Resistance
Jamaica’s own history is marked by resistance: the 1831 Sam Sharpe Rebellion accelerated slavery’s end, and leaders like Marcus Garvey championed Pan-African solidarity. Garvey famously declared, “We are descendants of a suffering people; we are descendants of a people determined to suffer no longer.” Yet today, Jamaica’s government dishonours this legacy by denying sanctuary to those suffering similarly.

The 1962 Independence Paradox
At Jamaica’s independence, global solidarity bolstered its sovereignty. When Haiti faced a U.S. embargo in the 19th century, it was the support of smaller nations that kept its spirit alive. Now, as Haiti faces collapse, Jamaica’s refusal to process asylum claims—a basic tenet of humanity—reeks of hypocrisy. How can a nation born from resistance turn its back on siblings in need?

III. Haiti’s Current Crisis: A Moral Imperative to Act
Gangs, Violence, and Collapsed Institutions

Haiti’s descent into chaos is well-documented. Gangs control over 80% of Port-au-Prince, perpetrating massacres, sexual violence, and child conscription. The UN reports over 5,600 killed in 2023 alone. With no elected government since 2021 and institutions in ruins, Haitians are left unprotected. Deporting refugees under these conditions violates the principle of non-refoulement—a cornerstone of international law prohibiting returns to danger.

Vulnerability of the Deported 42

Among the 42 expelled were infants, obviously pregnant women, and survivors of gang violence. Returning them to Haiti’s war zones is tantamount to a death sentence. Where is Jamaica’s famed “Out of Many, One People” ethos now?

IV. Jamaica’s Legal and Moral Failure
Contravening International Norms
While Jamaica–strangely–isn’t a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it is bound by customary international law and the 1984 Cartagena Declaration, which urges protection for those fleeing generalized violence. Government’s refusal to establish asylum procedures—a policy choice, not legal necessity—exposes a chilling disregard for human rights.

Abandoning Regional Leadership
Jamaica positions itself as a Caribbean leader yet shirks responsibility. Contrast this with the Bahamas, which—despite strained resources—has processed Haitian claims. By outsourcing Haiti’s crisis to others, Jamaica abdicates its moral authority.

V. Reclaiming Solidarity: A Path Forward
Immediate Actions

1. Halt Deportations: Implement a moratorium on returns to Haiti.
2. Establish Asylum Protocols: Create transparent, humane procedures for refugee claims.
3. Regional Collaboration: Lobby CARICOM for a unified response, including aid and resettlement sharing.

Honouring History, Building Futures
Jamaica must draw on its heritage of resistance. Civil society groups like the Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights have already condemned the deportations; the government must heed their call. As Haitian novelist Edwidge Danticat writes, “The world is a place of walls, but remember: gates, too, are part of walls.” Jamaica must choose to be a gatekeeper of hope, not a wall.

Conclusion: A Call to Conscience

History will judge this moment. Will Jamaica be remembered as the nation that forgot its brothers, or as one that stood tall in their darkest hour? To the Holness administration: Reverse this cruelty. To the people of Jamaica: Demand better. The spirit of Toussaint Louverture, Nanny of the Maroons, and Marcus Garvey cries out for justice. 

Let us answer.