The People’s National Party (PNP), Jamaica’s leading opposition, has urgently called upon the Jamaican government to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti and to implement a transparent and effective protocol for handling Haitian refugees.
Citing Jamaica’s status as a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the PNP in a statement, highlighted the government’s failure to uphold its commitments regarding Haitian refugees.
Specifically, the Ministry of National Security’s recent refusal to grant asylum to 37 Haitian asylum seekers was condemned as a significant violation of basic human rights.
Urgent need for a rights-based framework
Echoing the concerns raised by the group Freedom Imaginaries, the PNP emphasized the necessity for a rights-based approach to address the crisis.
The party outlined four fundamental pillars for action, including the full implementation of the Refugee Convention, access to territory and efficient asylum-seeking procedures, solidarity and shared responsibility, and the pursuit of durable solutions mindful of Jamaica’s capacity constraints.
CARICOM membership and regional obligations
The PNP further underscored the implications of Haiti’s CARICOM membership, pointing to Article 45 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), which grants members certain rights, including temporary residency.
The party advocated for special dispensations to be extended to Haitians in alignment with CARICOM objectives, particularly in light of recent adjustments to intra-regional mobility rules.
Call for regional cooperation and support
In a proactive stance, the PNP urged the Jamaican Government to collaborate with fellow CARICOM members in establishing a regional agency dedicated to assisting and advising on Haitian refugee affairs.
Additionally, the party called for the development of transparent and efficient asylum procedures within Jamaica and other CARICOM nations, emphasizing the importance of collective action to address the dire situation in Haiti.
The PNP further emphasized the need for sustained dialogue within CARICOM to formulate a coordinated plan of action for Haiti’s stabilization.
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