Dear Editor,

I read in the Observer on March 24 the article, “Finger-raped in Barbados – J’can woman deported after shameful cavity search by immigration officer” (www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/F inger-raped-in-Barbados_8573453) and could not help but shudder at the way some of our Caricom neighbours treat each other. Within the last 15 years Barbados has allowed many of its immigration officers to treat travellers from certain Caribbean countries in the most disgraceful, disrespectful, unprofessional and inhumane ways, all in the name of national security.

The recent violation of the young Jamaican woman who was allegedly forced to undergo repeated vaginal cavity searches while being verbally abused in the process reflects horribly on the professionalism and integrity of the Barbados immigration system. What makes matters like these more ugly is the fact that the offending party or parties continue to operate with little or no reprimand from their superiors or those responsible for governing the professional and ethical standards of the Barbados immigration office.

As Jamaicans suffer, so do many Guyanese. Many are the tales of unprovoked, demeaning treatment and often inevitable deportation of many Guyanese who find themselves on the wrong side of the Barbados immigration system. While it is true that some people do present themselves in many countries, including Barbados, with the intent of engaging in nefarious activities, all persons from certain Caribbean countries should not be classified as lawbreakers.

Caricom for the last decade has been trying to create a Single Market and Economy for the Caribbean where one of its tenets is the free movement of Caribbean people. Yet Caricom seems helpless in bringing one of its wayward members (Barbados) in line with regard to its human violation and discrimination that passes for immigration service at its airport.

I would suggest that at the next heads of government meeting Caricom leaders address the situation existing at Barbados Immigration! It is high time some form of sanction be placed on the Barbados government for repeated immigration transgressions that it seems incapable of handling.

Barbados is not Australia. And Australia has one of the most rigorous immigration systems in the world. However, as rigorous as the Australian immigration system is, its officers are highly trained, professional, courteous, respectful and sensible.

Maybe some professional training needs to be conducted for Barbados immigration officers. The region needs to denounce this kind of atrocious unprofessional conduct of the Bajan immigration officer. I expect all the women’s rights groups to rise up and denounce this dastardly act carried out by one woman to another.

Richard Francois

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

the_bjj@yahoo.com