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TCI Premier gives Joe Public ‘3H’ opportunity to help curb human trafficking; Stop Hiring, Housing and Harbouring

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Providenciales, #TurksandCaicosIslands – March 16, 2018 – It can be surmised and proven that illegal people are finding success when they arrive in the Turks and Caicos Islands because illegal migrant round-up operations, aka ‘Operation Guardian’, arrests also include Haitians and others who are found employed without work permits.

Premier Sharlene Robinson called an emergency press conference on Friday after as many as five illegal boats managed to make landfall in Providenciales in one week; the events ignited a firestorm of concern about safety and security.  Rightly so said the country’s leader who channeled some of her comments at those who exacerbate the problem by hiring individuals despite knowing they are undocumented or illegally in the islands.  

“It is important that Turks and Caicos Islanders and people living in the Turks and Caicos Islands do their part… stop hiring and housing and harbouring these undocumented persons.  You are now a part of the problem and I can say to you, that if we are able to get to court which we will go… to make sure that people understand the seriousness of this.  The violations that continue to occur with people breaching our borders is a  serious, serious issued and it is nothing short of an attack on sovereignty but also it becomes a serious national security issue when you do not know who is in your country.”

Premier Robinson explained that residents must see the bigger picture.

One of the bigger considerations of having potentially unknown people within one’s country, is the looming and international concerns of terrorism factions and threats.  Recently Trinidad and Tobago law enforcement foiled a terrorist plot which was planned to unravel during its 2018 Carnival events.

It is now widely reported that terrorist cells are creeping into the Caribbean; undoubtedly times have changed.  It is likely why the British is taking this unprecedented invasion from nearby Haiti into the Turks and Caicos so much more seriously.

“I am pleased, very, very pleased that yes the Minister Lord Ahmad and I have spoken just a few short moments ago, and an official letter has been sent from my office requesting the assistance… Mounts Bay, it is a UK ship, will be helping to patrol the waters and we are also looking at other means of assistance.  Boots on the ground which will include intelligence and expertise and we are grateful for the operational support that we are receiving from the UK.”

The Attorney General, Rhondalee Knowles was a part of the press conference and confirmed that just recently, laws to discourage hiring, harbouring or housing illegal migrants have been strengthened.  The amended legislation levies a substantial fine of $20,000 at offenders.

The Premier also asked residents to not politicize the inundation of the illegal sloops from Haiti, to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious and she discouraged vigilante activity.

“…to not to begin to engage in law enforcement activities.  These are organized landings, the Commissioner has said there have been arrests that have been made,  investigations are ongoing, we do not want you to be interfering with the investigations that are ongoing.  This is not the regular sloop landings of times past, this is organized crime and it is best that we allow those who are trained in law enforcement to address these issues,” said Premier Sharlene Robinson.  

It was reported that five illegal boats made landing between March 9-16, 2018 and two vessels, while at sea, were turned around on Sunday March 11 by the United States Coast Guard.

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RTCIPF Observes World Down Syndrome Day

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On March 21st, 2024, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force joined the international, regional and local communities in observing World Down Syndrome Day. 

Officers showed their support by wearing brightly coloured and mismatched socks to raise awareness. 

The head of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Grantley Williams, Training Manager Mrs Odessa Forbes and Media Relations Officer Denyse Renne visited the SNAP Centre and interacted with the students.

In a message to the TCI community, the RTCIPF noted that stereotypes perpetuate stigma and hinder inclusion, preventing individuals from reaching their full potential. 

Instead, the RTCIPF calls for individuals to foster an environment of acceptance and support where everyone is valued for who they are. 

By breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with Down Syndrome are empowered to live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities and, by extension, the TCI. 

As law enforcement officers, we must protect and serve all members of society, regardless of their abilities. 

Let’s work together to ensure that individuals with Down Syndrome are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights are upheld.

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CARICOM speaks out on Climate Change, looking to May meeting to amplify call for Climate Funding

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March 3, 2024

 

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains on the frontlines of global climate crisis, an issue the Region has been aggressively advocating on for the past thirty years. Despite the many commitments and promises of international partners, the window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing.

Heads of Government are concerned that while COP 28 was widely regarded as a historic event, with the completion of the first global stocktake (GST), on progress in achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, the outcomes of GST show that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise and the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of Parties will not keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degree goal enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

Heads of Government also expressed concern to be heading to COP 29 where a New Finance Goal will be articulated to replace the 100bn goal, which has not yet been met, even as developing countries require trillions to deal with the escalating impacts of climate change. Developed country parties have not provided enough finance at scale, technology and capacity building support required to help developing countries tackle their pressing needs to build their resilience, especially in adapting to the adverse and increasingly catastrophic impacts of climate change. The clear absence of definitive timelines for action and quantitative commitments for scaling up of investments, and particularly adaptation finance emerging out of COP 28, cause great concern to our Region.

The Conference noted that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognized as the most vulnerable group of countries and a special case for sustainable development, have been facing strong push back against the recognition of their special circumstances especially in the context of climate finance. There is limited international support for special allocations for SIDS within financing arrangements and available climate finance from international and private sources is limited, expensive and too onerous to access.

In light of the preceding, Heads of Government called for CARICOM to take a strategic, unified and coordinated approach to ensure that the Region remains influential in the climate and development arena through engagements with key partners and advocacy groups.

They called for renewed focus by the Region to advocate for inclusion of forests, nature-based solutions and blue carbon into market mechanisms with the aim of articulating clear regional positions and strategies.

Heads of Government reiterated the call for improved readiness programmes, simplified approval procedures, a change to the criteria for determining access to low-cost finance, and for the adoption of programmatic approaches to address the bottlenecks in accessing finance.

The Region reiterates its support for the Bridgetown Initiative’s call to expand capital adequacy of international financial institutions.

Heads recognized that the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda, 27 – 30 May 2024, will be an inflection point for many of these discussions to be articulated. As such, the Region remains committed to participating in the Conference at the highest level.

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South Caicos Development Plans shared with Washington-Misick led Administration

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On Monday, 12 February 2024, the Premier led a delegation to tour the island of South Caicos to view the ongoing public and private sector projects, involving the remodelling and rebranding of the airport terminals, historical districts, and the East Bay Hotel.

The tour of the various developments reinforced the Government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to boost the island’s activity and economy.

Photos courtesy of the TCI Office of the Premier

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