THE INDEPENDENT Jamaican Council for Human Rights (IJCHR) said yesterday it will be closely watching how immigration authorities handle the group of Haitians that landed off the Portland coast on Thursday.

Nancy Anderson, a spokesperson for the IJCHR, told The Gleaner that the organisation was disturbed by media reports that steps were being taken to have the 23 Haitians repatriated as soon as possible.

Follow procedures

Ms. Anderson said proper procedure must be followed.

"If they wish to apply for asylum, I expect them to be interviewed by the eligibility committee (of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and if they are turned down, they should be allowed an appeal."

Shortly after the Haitians landed, the Ministry of National Security issued a release, stating that they would be sent home "as soon as travel arrangements can be made."

Cons. Dwayne Campbell said the Haitians were escorted to shore at around 9:30 a.m. by the Marine Police, who spotted their wooden boat half-mile from land.

The group included 19 men and four women. Three of them are teenagers.

The Gleaner has since been informed that this is the fourth trip to Jamaica for the boat captain, while several of the passengers have also been here before.

Fled homeland

In early 2004, when fighting between rebels and forces loyal to ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide broke out, hundreds of Haitians fled their homeland, with some ending up in Jamaica.

Most of the Haitians were temporarily accommodated at the Montpelier camp in St. James. Some applied for asylum but most opted to return home. More than 300 were repatriated in June, 2005.