KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade says it notes, with concern, the reports made in and to the media about the alleged ill-treatment of Jamaicans recently denied entry to Trinidad and Tobago.

The ministry said in a release yesterday that although it has received no formal complaint on the reported incident, it wishes to advise concerned members of the public that the High Commission of Jamaica in Port-of-Spain has brought the media reports to the attention of the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Department and will also meet with the Ministry of National Security of TT and Caribbean Airlines in relation to the complaints.

The High Commission expects to be provided with a report once the necessary investigations have been completed, and we will be advised accordingly.

The ministry also remind Jamaicans, in the release, that:

i)There is a CARICOM Complaints Procedure which may be used to ensure that nationals who have been denied entry, detained or mistreated at the ports of entry of other CARICOM countries may file a formal complaint with the Ministry on return to Jamaica;

ii) The complaint forms are available on arrival at the airports in Jamaica;

iii) Once a complaint is received, an investigation is conducted with the relevant authorities in the CARICOM country concerned; and

iv) Jamaicans may also make reports directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.