ST MARY, Jamaica — Despite fleeing their conflict-ridden country, the Haitian asylum seekers in St Mary were observed laughing among themselves as their children played on Thursday.

Housed at a multi-complex campground in Robins Bay, the eight children and 29 adults are cared for by Red Cross, with nutritional and medical supplies being provided by the Ministry of National Security.

Sharon Scott, one of the volunteers from Red Cross, stated that adults sre given three meals a day while children get four meals.

When OBSERVER ONLINE visited the camp on Thursday, the Haitians were quick to express their willingness to tell their stories despite only about three of them being able to speak few words in English. But their disappointment was palpable when they learned from their human rights lawyer, Malene Alleyne, that the Ministry of National Security had denied our news team’s request to conduct an interview with them.

Having heard this, Alleyne made it clear she believes there should be no issue in allowing them “to speak to the media,” as they are not prisoners.

In addition, Alleyne explained that application for refugee status was submitted to the Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs and Trade on July 21, and is now at the next phase of the process.

“It’s a three stage process, the first phase was an initial interview – screening process with immigration officials — that has ended and now we are waiting for the application to be considered by an eligibility committee,” Alleyne said.

She went on to say that she believes the Haitians are great candidates for consideration for refugee status in Jamaica, due to the current on-going violence in Haiti.

“Based on what the United Nations and other agencies, as well as credible civil society organisations have said the situation in Haiti is dire and is not conducive to force returns, and even since the applications were presented the situation in Haiti has continued to deteriorate, and in fact Caricom [Caribbean Community] leaders are now going to meet soon to discuss the situation in Haiti. And as you know, they are considering a presence being established in Haiti because of the deteriorating situation,” Alleyne said.

“There is a definition of refugee under international law that has certain criteria and then there is a wider definition that recognises the situation of people experiencing a situation of generalised violence or widespread human rights violations, and I would say that my understanding is that Haitians in Haiti right now would fit within those criteria. Of course depending on the individualised assessment of each case, but the situation suggests that is the case,” she added.

Jamaica’s Refugee Policy, formulated in 2009, is based on the 1951 Refugees Convention and the 1967 Protocol to the Refugees Convention. It outlined a refugee as someone who, “Owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside of the country of his or her nationality and is unable or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country, or who, not having a nationality, and being outside the country of his or her former habitual residence is unable or owing to such fear, unwilling to return.”

In April, it was reported that the number of homicides in Haiti rose in recent months by 21 per cent, from 673 in the last quarter of 2022 to 815 between January 1 and March 31 this year. Meanwhile, the number of reported kidnappings soared by 63 per cent, from 391 to 637.

On July 10, a boat carrying the 37 Haitians landed on the shores of Boston Beach in Portland. The adults were later charged with illegal entry when they appeared before the Portland Parish Court, the 24 men and five women were jointly fined $7,000 or three days’ imprisonment at hard labour.

READ: Over 30 Haitians land at Boston Beach in Portland

They were later moved to the facility in Robins Bay where the Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang said they will continue to receive the highest level of support while the legal process for asylum continues.

– Candice Haughton