UK deported 152 J’cans since last Sept, gov’t reveals on eve of another chartered flight
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A total of 152 Jamaicans have been deported from the United Kingdom (UK) since September last year and more are expected to arrive in the island on a chartered flight tomorrow.
The Ministry of National Security said in a statement today that the Jamaican Government is obligated, under international law, to receive its deported nationals.
It explained that the Jamaicans to be returned to the island tomorrow have exhausted all legal avenues of appeal in the UK, and therefore have no legal rights there.
While unable to confirm the number of people being deported, the security ministry said it has collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the British High Commission and at least one local voluntary organisation to receive the deportees.
Specifically, Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) personnel and an officer of the Diaspora, Protocol and Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as representatives of the National Organisation for Deported Migrants (NODM), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) funded by the British High Commission, will meet them.
The Jamaica High Commission in London has supported the Jamaicans according to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-Roberts.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is seized with the circumstances of these individuals, and we remain available through our High Commission to advise Jamaicans in the Diaspora who have raised specific concerns, including those regarding their relatives” she said.
According to the statement, in September 2016, 42 persons were returned to Jamaica on a chartered flight and since then 110 Jamaicans have been deported on scheduled commercial flights from the UK.
The ministry said a processing facility has been established at the JCF Mobile Reserve and a case manager has been assigned to assist the deportees with reintegration.
They will also be provided with a publication titled ‘Coming Home to Jamaica,’ which contains information on how to reintegrate in Jamaica.
Families, relatives and returnees are invited to call the National Organisation of Deported Migrants at mobile telephone number 1-876-356-1126 with queries on how to access additional support and social services.
