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August 12 2019

Source

The response to Haitians arriving in Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries has been lamentable at best and contemptible at worst. They have been treated, for the most part, as pariahs, particularly by the ignorant and bigoted.

Sir Ronald Sanders

Recently, in Guyana, the arrival of Haitians has been greeted with a hysteria that was evident in other parts of the region. Many alarmist remarks were made and reported in the media; among them that the Haitians would spread HIV/Aids and the practice of voodoo.Those who so glibly claimed that the Haitians would spread HIV/Aids obviously failed to recognise that the disease is not non-communicable. HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.
HIV is not spread by air or water, mosquitoes, ticks or other insects, saliva, tears, or sweat that is not mixed with the blood of a person with HIV, shaking hands, sharing toilets, sharing dishes, silverware, or drinking glasses. Therefore, to contract HIV, there must be sexual relations with an infected person.The scaremongers, who make the claim about Haitians spreading HIV/Aids, are either ignorant of how the disease is spread, or simply regarded facts as an obstacle to their objectives.
Regarding the practice of voodoo, despite denigrating it, the purveyors appear to accord it greater powers than their own religions and practices. Yet there is no evidence, except in books of fiction and fanciful stories, that supports the capability of voodoo. Again, those who repeat these avowals are either ignorant of the facts or conveniently discard them in pursuit of their own purposes.
Beyond the science of these matters, the scaremongering about Haitians assumes that those who arrive in Caribbean countries fit into the narrative of disease-infected, devil-worshippers. The reality is that they are no more than persons who are fleeing very difficult economic circumstances in Haiti, in search of opportunities.
Caribbean people from all countries should understand that motivation. At times of economic decline in their own countries, nationals of every Caribbean country, without exception, have sought economic refuge in the United States, Canada, Europe and even nearby Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Guyanese particularly should empathise with prejudices against them, because they suffered them for years in the Caribbean. For close to five decades, until recently when Guyana’s wealth in oil and gas was unearthed, Guyanese were treated as unwelcome scoundrels with the worst possible labels ascribed to them, regardless of gender or race.
In any event, the only member state of CARICOM that should have a serious and legitimate concern about Haitian refugees is The Bahamas, which has been the recipient of boatloads of Haitians, trying to escape conditions in their own country.
Incidentally, this observation about The Bahamas in relation to Haitians should not obscure the fact that, while today it has to manage the Haitian refugee situation very carefully because it places a severe strain on its financial capacity and its economy, it has absorbed Haitians over many years – some of whom founded families that are now leading Bahamians.
Further, although it is a member of the Caribbean Community, The Bahamas, like Montserrat, was granted the right to opt out of certain of the requirements of the CARICOM Treaty, including freedom of movement of people. In this sense, The Bahamas is not a full member of CARICOM, and has no treaty obligation to allow freedom of entry of CARICOM nationals in any category
Therefore, CARICOM countries, other than The Bahamas and Montserrat, but including Guyana, are legally bound to grant CARICOM nationals the right to remain for a period of six months, provided they are not a security risk and they can demonstrate the ability not to become a charge upon the State during their stay. In principle, this right applies to Haitian nationals as well.
However, it should be noted that the governments of two CARICOM countries, Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts-Nevis, were allowed to reserve their positions because, over the last four decades, they have been the recipients of a disproportionately large number of CARICOM nationals, and would be hard-pressed to accept any more who attempt to stay in the country illegally.
But to be clear, the right given to CARICOM nationals, including Haitians, to enter and remain for six months in another CARICOM country is not an unfettered right as explained earlier. It is also not a right to remain in the country illegally. Therefore, Haitians, like all other CARICOM nationals, who stay beyond the six-month period are liable for deportation.
Regrettably, unscrupulous persons in Haiti and elsewhere have deliberately twisted the rights accorded by the CARICOM Treaty, as adjudicated by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), to lure Haitians into believing that they can arrive in and remain in CARICOM countries to live and work.
In this connection, Barbados became a target of this illegal operation after its government, in what clearly it thought was fair-mindedness, chose to remove the necessity for Haitians to apply to enter Barbados. After reported incidents of abuse, the government announced that it β€œwas compelled” to reinstitute the requirement for Haitians to have visas.
The Haitian people are vulnerable. They cannot be blamed for their shameless exploitation by bandits. They certainly do not deserve the prejudiced epithets that have been used to describe them by other Caribbean people.
The reality is that small CARICOM countries, already confronted with major economic challenges, cannot afford unchecked Haitian entry as refugees or to seek employment. After all, the unemployed of Haiti is estimated to be larger than the entire populations of all CARICOM countries combined.
It is against that reality that the entry of Haitians should be measured; it should not be judged by branding Haitians with false and unfair characterisations they do not deserve. Anyone who knows Haiti would know that the Haitians are a talented and creative people who struggle and survive despite terrible odds.

(The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

 

Replies sorted oldest to newest

 This fellow said "Therefore, CARICOM countries, other than The Bahamas and Montserrat, but including Guyana, are legally bound to grant CARICOM nationals the right to remain for a period of six months, provided they are not a security risk and they can demonstrate the ability not to become a charge upon the State during their stay. In principle, this right applies to Haitian nationals as well."

They are refugees, Guyana has 40 percent poverty, why and how they will not become a burden on the state? Barbados learnt its lesson from visa free passage. Guyana will soon...

 

FM

Lets be clear, and avoid the various excuses offered of why we should or should not allow Haitians in. We have lots of lands but the Haitians do not want to go sharecropping. I do not mind putting them in the bush on their own land to open up the region. Haitians want to go to France or to NY. Any sojourn in Guyana is like a migratory bird stopping over to fatten up for the other leg of its travel to new pastures. We cannot accept more poor people. We got enough of our own. The PPP let in enough Cubans and Chinese to already change the character of the place. 

FM
Zara posted:

It’s foolishness that the Coalition will use Haitians for victory.  The Coalition has broad support among all people.  Under the competent leadership of Cde Granger and Cde Nagamootoo, we are assured fair victory!

Why did Naga lost 3 successive election in his own hometown, Ms Ally something  has to be seriously wrong.. don’t you agree. 

How much Maria’s paying you to peddle lies. 

FM
Stormborn posted:

 This fellow said "Therefore, CARICOM countries, other than The Bahamas and Montserrat, but including Guyana, are legally bound to grant CARICOM nationals the right to remain for a period of six months, provided they are not a security risk and they can demonstrate the ability not to become a charge upon the State during their stay. In principle, this right applies to Haitian nationals as well."

They are refugees, Guyana has 40 percent poverty, why and how they will not become a burden on the state? Barbados learnt its lesson from visa free passage. Guyana will soon...

 

I se you still suffer from Mad Jagdeo disease.  So racist you are that you cannot see Haitians outside of the perspective of being some impoverished refugee.

1.  They are NOT staying in Guyana so are NOT refugees.  In fact Haitians are more highly regarded in French Guyana than are the Guyanese who also illegally attempt to live there!

2.  When they reach their destinations they will WORK.  They don't want handouts.

In fact I suggest that you tell those Central Americans that they can learn a thing or two from Haitians. When Obama blocked Haitians from entry into the USA to get TPS they found work and some eventualy set up businesses in Tijuana and other Mexican cities.  Not lie on the ground and weep like those Central Americans.  As bad as Honduras and Guatemala might be Haiti is WORSE.  Maybe because of this and the fact that they are black Haitians don't aggressively demand that any nation must accept them because they are poor, or their country lawless.  They try to do the best that they can.

If a black Haitian, who doesn't speak Spanish and who is culturally alien in Mexico can figure out how to survive there or in Chile than a Guatemalan can. 

The USA CANNOT solve all the problems of the world!  And Obama who deported more immigrants than Trump has yet to do, proved this.  It is only in 2015 and 2016 that Obama deported fewer people then Trump did last year!

Btw those kids in cages and foil blankets in freeing buildings began under Obama.  People need to learn to be honest.

 

FM
Last edited by Former Member

Btw Barbados wanted to force Guyanese and Jamaicans to get visas.  It was the rest of CARICOM that stated that this would be a bad precedent. 

Jagdeo might convince Rowley, Motley as well as the PMs of Antigua and St Kitts to do that.  The latter to have already got permission from CARICOM to restrict entry of CARICOM citizens if they so chose and it is the legions of Guyanese and Jamaicans who are to blame for this as they overwhelm these tiny islands.

So all those with Mad Jagdeo disease can continue with their anti black bigotry.

FM
Zara posted:

It’s foolishness that the Coalition will use Haitians for victory.  The Coalition has broad support among all people.  Under the competent leadership of Cde Granger and Cde Nagamootoo, we are assured fair victory!

So why don't you tell us how much the Haitians are being paid to stick around Guyana until the elections. It has to be at least US$ 1k/month as they can earn this much if they move to French Guyana.

FM
caribny posted:
Stormborn posted:

 This fellow said "Therefore, CARICOM countries, other than The Bahamas and Montserrat, but including Guyana, are legally bound to grant CARICOM nationals the right to remain for a period of six months, provided they are not a security risk and they can demonstrate the ability not to become a charge upon the State during their stay. In principle, this right applies to Haitian nationals as well."

They are refugees, Guyana has 40 percent poverty, why and how they will not become a burden on the state? Barbados learnt its lesson from visa free passage. Guyana will soon...

 

I se you still suffer from Mad Jagdeo disease.  So racist you are that you cannot see Haitians outside of the perspective of being some impoverished refugee.

1.  They are NOT staying in Guyana so are NOT refugees.  In fact Haitians are more highly regarded in French Guyana than are the Guyanese who also illegally attempt to live there!

2.  When they reach their destinations they will WORK.  They don't want handouts.

In fact I suggest that you tell those Central Americans that they can learn a thing or two from Haitians. When Obama blocked Haitians from entry into the USA to get TPS they found work and some eventualy set up businesses in Tijuana and other Mexican cities.  Not lie on the ground and weep like those Central Americans.  As bad as Honduras and Guatemala might be Haiti is WORSE.  Maybe because of this and the fact that they are black Haitians don't aggressively demand that any nation must accept them because they are poor, or their country lawless.  They try to do the best that they can.

If a black Haitian, who doesn't speak Spanish and who is culturally alien in Mexico can figure out how to survive there or in Chile than a Guatemalan can. 

The USA CANNOT solve all the problems of the world!  And Obama who deported more immigrants than Trump has yet to do, proved this.  It is only in 2015 and 2016 that Obama deported fewer people then Trump did last year!

Btw those kids in cages and foil blankets in freeing buildings began under Obama.  People need to learn to be honest.

 

They are refugees as we are from our home and a term you often use here at your convenience. I do not know why the term offends you to the level you attribute to is implications outside its scope and insist one could only use the word if they are afflicted with some terrible brain disease. Were you symptomatic of the same when you use it with respect to us leaving?

 

Who is saying the US should solve the world's problem. I am saying that in that respect we are crippled and have been so by incompetent politicians for over half a century. We cannot help ourselves and do not have the resources to reach some 40 percent of our people so why offer help with no resources?

 

I do not care to be distracted by other issues. I am speaking of our personal problems.

FM
Stormborn posted:

They are refugees as we are from our home and a term you often use here at your convenience. I do not know why the term offends you to the level you attribute to is implications outside its scope and insist one could only use the word if they are afflicted with some terrible brain disease. Were you symptomatic of the same when you use it with respect to us leaving?

Haitians in Guyana are NOT refugees!

your klownishness is beyond tiresome

in fact, there is no Haitian refugee class resident in Guyana like we have from Venezuela

i wonder which of the six? people (or personalities) using the "stormborn" handle wander off from the phantom month-long? "inlaws" project to start another losing-his-marbles cycle so early this, so far, quiet evening? 

smfh

FM
Last edited by Former Member
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

They are refugees as we are from our home and a term you often use here at your convenience. I do not know why the term offends you to the level you attribute to is implications outside its scope and insist one could only use the word if they are afflicted with some terrible brain disease. Were you symptomatic of the same when you use it with respect to us leaving?

Haitians in Guyana are NOT refugees!

your klownishness is beyond tiresome

in fact, there is no Haitian refugee class resident in Guyana like we have from Venezuela

i wonder which of the six? people (or personalities) using the "stormborn" handle wander off from the phantom month-long? "inlaws" project to start another losing-his-marbles cycle so early this, so far, quiet evening? 

smfh

I guess you can call them tourists in transit...they are economic refugees fool...same as the venoes. 

FM
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

They are refugees as we are from our home and a term you often use here at your convenience. I do not know why the term offends you to the level you attribute to is implications outside its scope and insist one could only use the word if they are afflicted with some terrible brain disease. Were you symptomatic of the same when you use it with respect to us leaving?

Haitians in Guyana are NOT refugees!

your klownishness is beyond tiresome

in fact, there is no Haitian refugee class resident in Guyana like we have from Venezuela

i wonder which of the six? people (or personalities) using the "stormborn" handle wander off from the phantom month-long? "inlaws" project to start another losing-his-marbles cycle so early this, so far, quiet evening? 

smfh

I guess you can call them tourists in transit...they are economic refugees fool...same as the venoes. 

sure sure sure

juss like Bharrat's in-transit Chinese and the even-more-Cubans flying to GT are "refugees" in Guyana nah?

"same as the venoes" . . . riiite?

so banna(s), which exactly of the six characters you inhabit shall i place the DUNCE cap on eh, moron?

oh wait, mussbe the same half wit sixth of the "stormborns" who was swearing on SN that Bharrat Jagdeo's PPP of NEPS tiefman fame is a Marxist-Leninist "Communist" party

my bad

smfh

FM
Last edited by Former Member
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

They are refugees as we are from our home and a term you often use here at your convenience. I do not know why the term offends you to the level you attribute to is implications outside its scope and insist one could only use the word if they are afflicted with some terrible brain disease. Were you symptomatic of the same when you use it with respect to us leaving?

Haitians in Guyana are NOT refugees!

your klownishness is beyond tiresome

in fact, there is no Haitian refugee class resident in Guyana like we have from Venezuela

i wonder which of the six? people (or personalities) using the "stormborn" handle wander off from the phantom month-long? "inlaws" project to start another losing-his-marbles cycle so early this, so far, quiet evening? 

smfh

I guess you can call them tourists in transit...they are economic refugees fool...same as the venoes. 

sure sure sure

juss like Bharrat's in-transit Chinese and the even-more-Cubans flying to GT are "refugees" in Guyana nah?

"same as the venoes" . . . riiite?

so banna(s), which exactly of the six characters you inhabit shall i place the DUNCE cap on eh, moron?

oh wait, mussbe the same half wit sixth of the "stormborns" who was swearing on SN that Bharrat Jagdeo's PPP of NEPS tiefman fame is a Marxist-Leninist "Communist" party

my bad

smfh

I presume you feel if you insert as much insults about your smarts as opposed to others you magnify your post sufficiently to make sense. Sorry, no. None of the rest of your digression is worthy of a response. 

FM
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

They are refugees as we are from our home and a term you often use here at your convenience. I do not know why the term offends you to the level you attribute to is implications outside its scope and insist one could only use the word if they are afflicted with some terrible brain disease. Were you symptomatic of the same when you use it with respect to us leaving?

Haitians in Guyana are NOT refugees!

your klownishness is beyond tiresome

in fact, there is no Haitian refugee class resident in Guyana like we have from Venezuela

i wonder which of the six? people (or personalities) using the "stormborn" handle wander off from the phantom month-long? "inlaws" project to start another losing-his-marbles cycle so early this, so far, quiet evening? 

smfh

I guess you can call them tourists in transit...they are economic refugees fool...same as the venoes. 

sure sure sure

juss like Bharrat's in-transit Chinese and the even-more-Cubans flying to GT are "refugees" in Guyana nah?

"same as the venoes" . . . riiite?

so banna(s), which exactly of the six characters you inhabit shall i place the DUNCE cap on eh, moron?

oh wait, mussbe the same half wit sixth of the "stormborns" who was swearing on SN that Bharrat Jagdeo's PPP of NEPS tiefman fame is a Marxist-Leninist "Communist" party

my bad

smfh

None of the rest of your digression is worthy of a response. 

the non-response is most welcome

and rent a dictionary jackass, you seem to not know what "digression" is

besides, your foolishness is repetitive and boring

nobody cares mr six-head

FM
Last edited by Former Member
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

They are refugees as we are from our home and a term you often use here at your convenience. I do not know why the term offends you to the level you attribute to is implications outside its scope and insist one could only use the word if they are afflicted with some terrible brain disease. Were you symptomatic of the same when you use it with respect to us leaving?

Haitians in Guyana are NOT refugees!

your klownishness is beyond tiresome

in fact, there is no Haitian refugee class resident in Guyana like we have from Venezuela

i wonder which of the six? people (or personalities) using the "stormborn" handle wander off from the phantom month-long? "inlaws" project to start another losing-his-marbles cycle so early this, so far, quiet evening? 

smfh

I guess you can call them tourists in transit...they are economic refugees fool...same as the venoes. 

sure sure sure

juss like Bharrat's in-transit Chinese and the even-more-Cubans flying to GT are "refugees" in Guyana nah?

"same as the venoes" . . . riiite?

so banna(s), which exactly of the six characters you inhabit shall i place the DUNCE cap on eh, moron?

oh wait, mussbe the same half wit sixth of the "stormborns" who was swearing on SN that Bharrat Jagdeo's PPP of NEPS tiefman fame is a Marxist-Leninist "Communist" party

my bad

smfh

None of the rest of your digression is worthy of a response. 

the non-response is most welcome

and rent a dictionary jackass, you seem to not know what "digression" is

besides, your foolishness is repetitive and boring

nobody cares mr six-head

And you know the dictionary inside out!...run down as many rabbit holes as quickly as you can and as often as you need to  confuse yourself into believing are saying something profound

FM
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

I guess you can call them tourists in transit...they are economic refugees fool...same as the venoes. 

sure sure sure

juss like Bharrat's in-transit Chinese and the even-more-Cubans flying to GT are "refugees" in Guyana nah?

"same as the venoes" . . . riiite?

so banna(s), which exactly of the six characters you inhabit shall i place the DUNCE cap on eh, moron?

oh wait, mussbe the same half wit sixth of the "stormborns" who was swearing on SN that Bharrat Jagdeo's PPP of NEPS tiefman fame is a Marxist-Leninist "Communist" party

my bad

smfh

None of the rest of your digression is worthy of a response. 

the non-response is most welcome

and rent a dictionary jackass, you seem to not know what "digression" is

besides, your foolishness is repetitive and boring

nobody cares mr six-head

And you know the dictionary inside out!...

that i know it waay better than a FAKER like you is a given

but that's not the point, arite?

FM
Last edited by Former Member
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

I guess you can call them tourists in transit...they are economic refugees fool...same as the venoes. 

sure sure sure

juss like Bharrat's in-transit Chinese and the even-more-Cubans flying to GT are "refugees" in Guyana nah?

"same as the venoes" . . . riiite?

so banna(s), which exactly of the six characters you inhabit shall i place the DUNCE cap on eh, moron?

oh wait, mussbe the same half wit sixth of the "stormborns" who was swearing on SN that Bharrat Jagdeo's PPP of NEPS tiefman fame is a Marxist-Leninist "Communist" party

my bad

smfh

None of the rest of your digression is worthy of a response. 

the non-response is most welcome

and rent a dictionary jackass, you seem to not know what "digression" is

besides, your foolishness is repetitive and boring

nobody cares mr six-head

And you know the dictionary inside out!...

that i know it waay better than a FAKER like you is a given

but that's not the point, arite?

What can I say? you write as well as a cripple is to one with legs functioning fine. I will not distract your from your delusions. It is your healthy mental place. 

FM
ronan posted:
Stormborn posted:

you write as well as a cripple is to one with legs functioning fine.

so, which one of the six "stormborns" cussing the other five, insisting he wasn't drunk on the evening's "port" when he gushed that my "cripple" prose was positively poetic?

lol

Concentrate on the text.  Maybe you were right, I failed to see its endemic ugliness earlier.  

FM
Last edited by Former Member

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