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BY THE BOOK
GREETINGS: President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo (left) greeting Prime Minister David Thompson in the presence of CARICOM Ambassador Denis Kellman. (Picture by Antonio Miller/BGIS.)
Published on: 7/2/2009.
by TRACY MOORE
in Georgetown, Guyana
IF EVIDENCE is produced of ill-treatment of Guyanese or any other CARICOM nationals, by empowered public officials, those officials will be disciplined appropriately.
Prime Minister David Thompson, in a Press conference held in Georgetown, Guyana yesterday, said his Government would be setting up "as soon as possible", an independent review panel to investigate any claims from Guyanese about ill-treatment by Barbados immigration authorities.
In a one-hour, 28 minute Press conference held at the Cara Lodge in Georgetown, the Prime Minister said, a miniscule percentage of Guyanese had been deported from Barbados and some might view the "tactics" by the Immigration Department as "harsh".
But he said: "My Government does not condone abuse of power, or inappropriate behaviour on the part of its officials, and if any evidence is produced that any of those empowered to take enforcement action have been excessive in the carrying out of their duties, they will be disciplined appropriately," he said.
In addressing the media in a live broadcast beamed across the Caribbean, Thompson responded to reports and questions which ranged from abusive and degrading behaviour to those deported from Barbados, denials of a plane load of Guyanese being sent home, ethnic profiling of Guyanese living in Barbados, to a claim by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Guyana, that 53 Guyanese were deported since May 5, of which 24 were sent back since the amnesty was instituted June 1.
In an earlier Press statement in Barbados, Thompson had announced that only four Guyanese had been deported since his new immigration policy for non-nationals came into effect on June,1.
Yesterday, in providing statistics, Thompson said between 2000 and 2008, more than 1 000 CARICOM nationals were admitted to Barbados under the Skilled National programme, of which over 40 per cent were from Guyana.
In 2008, some 5 608 work permits had been issued to CARICOM nationals of which 90 per cent were issued to Guyanese, and of the 1 717 student visas issued, 721 went to Guyanese nationals.
"If you look at the overall numbers as a percentage of the persons who move between the countries, it is miniscule and is not something for us to argue over," he told the Press.
"What is more important is that in every instance whether the person is asked to leave, or is deported, that they are treated fairly and justly and to ensure that that happens in the future, they are entitled to apply to a tribunal review committee to take a look at the circumstances and advise Government on how matters of that sort should be dealt with," he said.
The Prime Minister also disclosed that he had met with Guyana's president Bharrat Jagdeo, and suggested that favourable consideration be given to the opening of a Guyana High Commission in Bridgetown, to handle the needs of the increasing number of Guyanese living here.
The Summit opens officially today and ends on Sunday.
24 comment found!
By the book : 7/9/2009
To the poster, bajan investor business man, don't miss the point! there would have never been an issue, if non-nationals had entered Barbados legally. Remember, they are consequences to the choices or actions we make. The time has come and they are reaping what they sow. As a businessman, your concern is "money" and not what is best for our island.We are not Rwandans. We must have control over our borders so that we never experience unrest. Barbados is stable, peaceful and we intend to keep it that way.
: 7/7/2009
Bobby Khan, the word is 'advise' NOT 'advice' ok?
: 7/5/2009
David Thompson is continuing to take this tense issue by the horns the way a national leader should. He is keeping a level head and all who can see are seeing what a positive difference his input is making on behalf of our nation. Quite candidly, I appreciate the numerous latent challenges inherent with this issue and for this very reason I have strong reservations over delegating management at national level to anyone else at this point in time. Naturally, as it evolves, others in the ruling party and the opposiition are gaining a better perspective on the core and I contemplate that they will at some time be capable of managing it to the satisfaction of the Barbadian people too; but not right now.
To Bobby Khan : 7/4/2009
the PM does not have to state the amount of illegal immigrants in Bim. the fact that there are illegal immigrants is enough-even if it was one. this is a problem caused by the BLP gov't. it turned Bim into an open sepulchre without trying to guage the numbers and types of people that were coming in. this was, i suspect, done to drive down the cost of labour, provide cheap labour for their out of hand building projects and to secure a leagacy for Arthur as a leader in regional integration. as with anything the BLP touches, it traded short term gains for long term problems. bajans have identified this as a problem.the PM and the DLP campaigned on this issue and won election. election have consequences. Do yuh ting Thommo. we have yuh back
If Thompson was truly out to 'get' non-nationals : 7/3/2009
If Thompson was truly out to 'get' non-nationals... then he would never have announced an amnesty protocol. He would have likely in private simply told Barbados immigration to step up their missions over the next 6 months and that would have been it. It wouldn't have become a CARICOM wide issue. The fact that he mentioned a protocol means he is publicly allowing those that are serious about staying, they have a path to stay those that don't want to stay can keep grandstanding for all 6 months and waste their time.
be reasonable : 7/3/2009
why doesnt jagdeo fix problems in Guyana instead of acting so immature? PM Thompson has to me, elucidated clear guidelines as to his country's policy on illegal migrants!!! for years Barbados has allowed Guyanese immigration but its in the last 15 years that there has been a flood, encouraged by the last administration, who mind you, are not the ones who have to compete with these Guyanese for the few precious resources Barbados has. Jagdeo has to fix his country's racial problem, address allegations of Indian favouritism in government jobs, and try to revive the Guyanese economy instead of wasting time accusing Thompson of 'rhetoric' MInd you, I am against the ill-treatment of any human being and inhumane treatment by immigration officers should not be cononed!!! but we in barbados pride ourselves on being law-abiding and Barbados has forever operated on law-abiding principles.
I LOVE MY COUNTRY : 7/3/2009
It's my belief that the vast majority of our Bajan people don't really have a problem living amongst others of different ethnic groups. Many of us travel and live abroad and encounter people of different backgrounds. So if the Guyanese would come to our shores LEGALLY, behave themselves, respect our country/people,traditions and observe its laws,they would find that the average Bajan wouldn't have a problem with their presence in our beautiful land. It's quite obvious that our PM is bending over backwards in addressing this emotional topic with much common sense, dignity, respect, fairness and understanding. But even the great Almighty GOD has a limit, so does our PM. I urge Bajans to continue praying for and rallying around our nation's leader. The Blue & Gold must always fly over a free, independent and proud Barbados. May GOD continue to watch over our land and her people.
i hope so mr PM and try changing laws so we can elect a free President like GT instead of English Queen Rep. : 7/2/2009
I would like my fellow bajans to be sensitive and curb their antisemetic remarks and the idiots to shut their rear ends if they do not know history of world civilisation. I am a bajan business man investing heavily in Guyana adn trading internationally. I have friend, business contacts and other bajans operate business out here and in other caribbean territories. WHen Mr thompson go about this in a unorganised semetic style ruffing up people and not welcoming cultural diversity, encouraging the best fo teh caribbean best and creative talent to barbados, and when he is not taking a stand for the legal foreigners guyanese, trinis, lucians, and against the persecution of those that came here and married and worked ligitimately, he is setting up a hard time for bajans operating internationally. Please people do not make an image for teh Caribbean and us Bajans like one of the Rwanda TUTSI/HUTUs, German and JEws, and U.S Southern Missippi hillbilly whites towards blacks jews and Chinese, People mix and carry their specialty to build metropoles and hence immigrate all over the world to metropoles since,LONDON (LONDONIA - A roman outpost, ROME,EGYPT, SOLOMON'isralie kingdom with his 1000wife of every tribe of the world mixing with israel, for this was the nation of God and he isnt racist nor homophobic. I hope the barbados believers in the Christ savior king, will remember to stand up for decent behavior towards people of any minority or mix ethnicities whether guyanese, Vincy or lucian. for this mix is what makes barbados so interestings a uniquely what it is today. and silent anti semetic attitudes from our PM and leaders will destroy reputations and authority for leadership in a fraction of time it takes to build it. International Bajan Investor Businessman
Bajan Bashing : 7/2/2009
Bajans, has the upper hand now. One day Guyana, will emerge as a leader in everything from innovation of new products to invention of new technology. Remember how the Japanese, treated the Chinese? Now who is the world leader in Manufacturing and innovation of many new products we live by today? Guyana, you hang in there. Your time will come and little Barbados, will come knocking. Just don't open the door. You will be a force to rock the Caribbean.
: 7/2/2009
Somebody Lying and I truly don't believe it is the Guyanese
Thousands Guyanese illegals in Bdos : 7/2/2009
PM Thompson speaks . : 7/2/2009 Prime Minister David Thompson has cleared the air pertaining to his government's policy on illegal immigrants in Barbados and he has made it known that he is still for the integration of the Caricom states . We have always been kind to Guyanese and the bad-mouthing of Barbados was not called for . When all is said and done , the largest number of non-nationals residing in Barbados , will still be Guyanese . The suggestion by PM Thompson to President Jagdeo , to open a High Commission in Bridgetown , should be accepted . Wiggins --------------------------------------- Well said. Did you hear Jagdeo response? After PM Thompson's well thought out presentation which was concilatory in tone and laid out specific actions for the way forward to better relations Jagdeo dismissed it all as "rhetoric", Bajans are "Gestapo" and "somebody lying." There are evil forces in the region committed to the destruction of Barbados. We cannot allow this to happen.Nuff said.
GET REAL : 7/2/2009
TO BOBBY KHAN: By your reasoning, then all of the CARICOM Heads of Government who have commented on Barbados' immigration policy are not "real leaders" and should have permitted un-elected speech writers to speak for their respective countries. Not surprisingly, you have failed to identify where Prime Minister Thompson has not provided concrete and definitive answers to the immigration questions posed to him.
Guyana still at the starting line : 7/2/2009
What does the government needs to do to kick start the economy, really? Because there are many people who just waiting for the opportunity to get out. If the Guyana government can't get its house in order who is going to do it for them? If you look around Georgetown and around the vicinity of the CARICOM secretariat, look how de place look shine... GT get a face lift for the summit once again - weeds cut, roads painted and lined, flags raised...
Twisted Jagdeo not PM Thompson!!!!! : 7/2/2009
Dreaming Bajan you are really Dreaming.. Did you even read this entire article? The PM clearly stated our immigration policies, and if these powers are breached by the immigration officers, they will be dealt with accordingly. FBI????? The FBI can't even solve their own immigration problems in the US!!! Our doors have been opened up to Guyanese nationals for decades now, whether students or migrant workers. In recent times, many illegal and undocumented immigrants are in Barbados and we cannot account for the these people. Unfortunately, the most of these people are of Guyanese nationality. Instead of people bashing PM Thompson, they should be bashing President Jagdeo for not doing his job, which entails representing and caring for the Guyanese people at home and abroad. Mr. Jagdeo is not doing a good job and needs to work with our PM to set up a Guyana High Commission in Bridgetown. Follow our PM and do your job Jagdeo!!!! You have many social, cultural and economical problems in Guyana that you are failing to address. These problems cannot be solved simply by your citizens finding refuge in Barbados. It is making it increasingly harder for Barbados to continue to develop, especially in these hard times upon us.
More statistics : 7/2/2009
From the statistics Guyanese would have benefitted more than other nationalities. I use to express abhorrence at the fact the they still want deem us as an ugly nation. to It seems like a case of biting the hand that feeds you. We have an idea of those trying to do the right thing. As a matter of interest, I'd like to know for the last five years 1) the numbers in the same categories (work permits and student visas) who did not leave at expiration of the same 2)the number of visitor visas, how many applied for extensions and are still here legally, and how many left. These statistics could well inform our argument , nothwithstanding what is visible to the naked eye. Retired Civil Servant.
Dumb PM : 7/2/2009
Why don't he PM employ a real speech writer who can advice him on what to say and when to open his big mouth before he goes flapping off. A real head of state, would leave these issues to his deputy or the immigration chief. But every time you look around Mr. Thin Skin, keeps taking questions that he has no real answers to give. That is what got him in trouble in the first. Please get some advice from Mr. David Simmonds, he is a great speech writer and intellectual.
DREAMING OR DELUSIONAL : 7/2/2009
TO DREAMING BAJAN, SF CA: Doesn't the statement "independent review panel to investigate any claims from Guyanese about ill-treatment by Barbados immigration authorities" answer your question? Perhaps it is time to awake from your slumber and see that it is a "new day" and more importantly, a new leader in Barbados.
: 7/2/2009
Right, Mr Prime Minister, the operative word here is "evidence." There must be proof. How many will cry wolf as a trade off to stay. The suggestion in the penultimate paragraph of this article is commended. If properly implimented and managed, at least this would provides an avenue for the welfare and issues of Guyanese to be adequately addressed. Let us wait to see whether this is acceptable to the Guyanese President. He seems to have such a laissez faire approach to things. May be the renowned Advocate Mr Faria, great asset that he has been could prove to a valuable Ambassador. He has earned it and can do a good job once he is able to show impartiality. DUMB
Twisted Prime Minister : 7/2/2009
Mr. Minister, who can these people complain to? There's no complaint guidelines in place for one to file a complaint against an official who abuse or use harsh tactics against them in these matters. You know very well that Barbados, has no other agency but the said police who abused these people in the first place. Why don't you hire a an outside agency like the FBI in the U.S to investigate these matters since you are so interested in how these people were treated. If you cannot do something like that, then you are not serious about what you are saying. Remember, the FED, are for hire and they will do a full investigation even if it take two years. But will you be willing to PROSECUTE those officials if evidence shows there were abuses? PUt-YA-MONEY-WHA-YOU-MOUTH-IS? Show Guyanese you are serious, about their complaints.
TIME FOR OUR LEADERS TO LEAD : 7/2/2009
His official title is The Honorable Prime Minister of Barbados but by his continued conduct demonstrated in the wranglings following the announcement of Barbados' new immigration policy, Mr. David Thompson has shown himself to be a national, regional and international leader. Mr. Thompson has brought fresh and realistic yet fair and responsible perspectives to the CARICOM table with respect to the freedom of movement of CARICOM nationals amongst member states. The time has come for CARICOM members to address 21st Century issues with 21st Century solutions. With all due respect to our elected CARICOM leaders, no longer can we seek comfort in the complancency of incumbency. We Caribbean people must work together as OUR SURVIVAL depends on such action. However, that working relationship must be one based on mutual respect and mutual understanding.
Do Not Disrespect Barbados' Laws : 7/2/2009
I still do not understand why the respective Governments of CARICOM do not advise ,instruct and encourage their Nationals,of the proper procedure of entering another country. If the Nationals are not obeying the Laws of their home country,they should be informed that when the go abroad (for a visit) they have to obey ALL the Laws of that country,one of which is , you are given a certain time to remain in the country. When that time expires, so does your welcome.You have ,but two options,Seek and obtain permission , from the powers that be,or leave on or before the time allotted to you.Any contravention ,is in violation of that country's Laws,and subject to any penalties provided under their statues. Wake up CARICOM.Mr Thompson, is a qualified leader.He will lead us in the direction that he sees fit.Why are all you people "Flocking" there,seeing that the PM is cleaning up our little Paradise.You are well aware of the stance Barbados has taken.We have not devalued our Currency,and we will not "devalue" our standards.GET ON BOARD... Legalize your status...stay in the country, and help build... you WILL be welcomed...The ones who flout our country's laws. WILL be (1) asked to leave (2)Deported (3)incarcerated ,thrown out ,or what ever.Our PM cannot back down now... you people had better catch up .
the book : 7/2/2009
what about the treatment of GUYANISE liveing in GUYANA are there a RACE problem we want to know also we send law breakers back home in some country they shoot them and get praise from they LEADER BAJANS are on the kill um list will this be address or it is ok to get rid of BAJANS as i see so many hate blogs againstour people
PM Thompson speaks . : 7/2/2009
Prime Minister David Thompson has cleared the air pertaining to his government's policy on illegal immigrants in Barbados and he has made it known that he is still for the integration of the Caricom states . We have always been kind to Guyanese and the bad-mouthing of Barbados was not called for . When all is said and done , the largest number of non-nationals residing in Barbados , will still be Guyanese . The suggestion by PM Thompson to President Jagdeo , to open a High Commission in Bridgetown , should be accepted .
As I said 3-days ago. : 7/2/2009
Barbados Immigration officials would be well advised to travel everywhere with a film crew. E.g. to raids and such. The police departments in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Tobago are already experimenting with this now. They are in a partnership with Virgin Media out of the UK and created a reality based TV show named "Caribbean Cops". Since the whole thing would be video taped, these officials would then have video evidence of everything that transpired during a raid; and the PM or anyone else could check the tapes to see if anybody lodges any false alegations. I suggest using that or a similar venture as it may mean Barbados may get to share in the profits and may not even need to buy the picture film.
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