Dear Editor,

The decision of our Government to enter into a third-country national agreement with the United States should be clearly explained to Jamaican citizens, who will show compassion when needed.

Government ministers have stated that Jamaica is assisting in the transit of asylum seekers to their home country. Consequently, citizens should be told:

1) What countries are their home countries?

2) If they had entered the USA as asylum seekers, is Jamaica assisting in their return to a country where they will be subject to torture, victimisation, or inhumane treatment?

3) Since the USA has far greater resources than Jamaica, what is the reason for using Jamaica as a transition station?

4)Since USA has the greatest facilities for air travel, why is transit through Jamaica necessary or logistical?

5)If the country to which they are to be eventually returned refuses to take them, what will be Jamaica’s position?

Lloyd G Barnett

Attorney-at-law

dr.lgbarnett@gmail.com