TCI criticized for treatment of Haitians

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) pointed out that a team had visited the Turks and Caicos Islands just a few months ago – in August of 2010 – and impressed on government authorities the need to screen all new arrivals for protection needs.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos – The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed concern about the deportation of more than 120 Haitians from the Turks and Caicos Islands without any consideration being given to whether they were in need of international protection.

The complaint and subsequent plea for countries not treat Haitians so harshly came just over a week after a boat carrying an estimated 116 Haitians ran aground on January 3 off West Caicos Island, followed a day later by a second vessel carrying six Haitians.

The passengers of both boats were apprehended by police and immigration officials, screened and cleared for cholera infection, while some were treated for minor injuries sustained during their voyage before the entire group of 122 was sent home by plane.

“The UN Refugee Agency, together with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged countries to refrain from forcibly repatriating Haitians as long as the crisis caused by last year’s earthquake persists. Reports on these incidents raise questions as to whether the group was interviewed to identify potential protection needs arising from particular vulnerabilities or risks upon return,” the agency said in a statement.

“Within the current context in Haiti, these could include serious risks to unaccompanied or separated children, pregnant or otherwise vulnerable women or victims of violence or persecution. UNHCR fully acknowledges the right of countries to determine who enters their territories, but calls for migration control measures to be balanced with adequate protection safeguards.”

The agency pointed out that a team had visited the Turks and Caicos Islands just a few months ago – in August of 2010 – and impressed on government authorities the need to screen all new arrivals for protection needs. 

It says it has offered to assist the authorities with the screening of migrants and to provide assistance, where appropriate, to vulnerable persons among them.