THE EDITOR, Sir:
IF HAITI is a member of CARICOM, and its President is recognised as a legitimate leader of the Haitian people, why are we giving automatic refugee status to the Haitians who have landed on our shores?
Instead of making big plans and worrying ourselves about where to get the resources from to house and feed these people, we should immediately start the process of interviewing them to find out their reason for fleeing their country.
I believe that if it can be proven that the person is targeted by the government and will be executed without a fair trial, then we should grant asylum.
However, in that case, we should seek to expel the President from CARICOM, and ask for his removal.
We cannot accept people into Jamaica simply because there is social unrest in their country and because the leadership cannot lead. If we really want to do something for the Haitian people, we must insist that the President steps down, negotiate with the United Nations to install an interim administration, and move towards a fair election as early as possible.
I am, etc.,
CARLTON FEARON
fearon@cybervale.com
Hellshire Heights
St. Catherine
Via Go-Jamaica
