Advocate makes plea for asylum consideration as more Haitians land in Portland

Ross Craig, East Portland:

Founder of Freedom Imaginaries Malene Alleyne, who is advocating for the rights of Haitians fleeing their war-torn homeland to Jamaica, says she is hoping the Government will give consideration to the civil unrest in Haiti and consider the likelihood of providing asylum to those turning up on the island’s shores.

Alleyne’s comments come against the background of the arrival of approximately 40 Haitians, including men, women and children, who landed by boat near Ross Craig in east Portland on Sunday, shortly after 6 a.m. Among the children was a baby.

The Haitians claim that they are fleeing persecution, gang warfare, and sexual violence, wherein gang members are allegedly raping women and children indiscriminately. They also claim that gangsters are actively engaged in murder and plundering throughout sections of the country, including the capital, Port-au-Prince.

“According to reports, the situation continues to deteriorate, because what the reports are saying is that the gangs are trying to expand their control and are really confronting law enforcement,” she said.

“The situation of women and children is particularly devastating, because there are about a million people displaced so far because of the violence, and over half of that number would be women and children. What is happening now is, the scale of violence you’re seeing – these mass attacks, massacres, and systematic practices of sexual violence, which is being used as a weapon of war.

IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE ASYLUM PROCEDURE

“I am not surprised that more groups are coming because, when you mix the security crisis with a deepening humanitarian crisis and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, what it tells me is that countries like Jamaica, and CARICOM generally, that we cannot afford to wait any longer. We must implement effective asylum procedures and this must be at the regional level, where CARICOM establishes a fund and a mechanism to coordinate responses to Haitians fleeing [their country],” she added.

The group of Haitians was picked up by the police, who were supported by members of the Jamaica Defence Force, in the Ross Craig area near Long Bay in east Portland. They were later transported to a holding area at the Castle Police Station near Priestman’s River in the parish, where they underwent screening and medical check-up.

One resident, Hughan Edwards, owner of Irie Sustainable Sea Food, told The Gleaner that he provided some of the Haitians with juices and snacks after realising that they were dehydrated and hungry.

“So, with permission from a member of the security forces, I purchased snacks and refreshment for the people, including a small baby. I observed at least 42 Haitians that were being transported by the security forces,” he said.

“And it is obvious that they are in need. It would appear that they were at sea for probably four to five days. I saw men, women, children, and babies. Helping people is what I do and I did just that,” he added.

Since 2024, approximately 220 Haitians, comprising seven groups, have landed in Portland after fleeing their homeland in search of a better life. At least five of those groups of Haitians have been repatriated as a result of national security concerns raised by the Government.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com