Written by: Sugar Ray Thomas

President of the Haiti Jamaica Society Myrtha Désulmé has expressed concern about the treatment of Haitian refugees by CARICOM countries, including Jamaica.

Ms. Désulmé chastised CARICOM Governments for not doing enough to assist Haitians who flee their homeland and enter countries illegally.

Her comments are in response to contrasting approaches taken by the Jamaican Government, in relation to Haitian refugees and third country nationals being transitioned from the United States of America.

Haitians are oftentimes almost immediately sent back and those who seek asylum are kept in limbo for months, while the TCNs, if sent to Jamaica, are expected to be in the country for sometime.

Ms. Désulmé argued that Haitians are not given the same latitude to apply for asylum in Jamaica.

Ms. Désulmé reiterated that Haitians meet the criteria, under international law, to remain in Jamaica.

This as the situation in Haiti remains unstable.