Dear Editor,

In 1973, the Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed signalling the birth of Caricom as well as a new era for Caribbean cooperation after the failure of the West Indies Federation. Caricom is an organisation of mainly English-speaking Caribbean nations. The objectives of Caricom include: improved standards of living and work, enhanced co-ordination of member states foreign and economic policies, as well as enhanced functional co-operation including accelerated promotion of greater understanding among its people and the advancement of social and cultural development.

Since its establishment, Caricom has grown to 15 member states including Haiti. Haiti is the only French-speaking member. However, despite the fact that Haiti has been a full member of Caricom since July 2002, it bears thought to why Haiti is the only Caricom member that its nationals require a visa to travel throughout Caricom?

This discriminatory arrangement seems a bit odd given the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas in 2001, which explicitly allows for the free movement of Caribbean nationals who are members of Caricom. Having a visa requirement on Haitians is unfair and is, in fact, tantamount to having a ban on travel.

Recently a government minister from Dominica announced that his country would be instituting a visa policy for Haitians to travel to the Dominica. Clearly this is not being done in a spirit of cooperation and regional integration. Why is it that after more than 10 years as a Caricom member Haiti is still being treated differently? Is it because of the language barrier, or is it because of the perception which has plagued Haiti regarding it being the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere? If we not careful Caricom will end up like the West Indies Federation. Caricom is now at a critical point in its existence and no less than bold and decisive leadership is required.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com