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TCI: Human Rights Commission Launches Humanitarian Awards

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#Providenciales, November 15, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is set to host the first ever Humanitarian of the Year Awards 2018 to highlight the selfless acts of persons living within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On Friday, November 9th the HRC announced that the nomination process was officially open throughout the country, allowing persons to nominate residents within two categories: The Humanitarian Award and the Young Humanitarian Award.

Residents have now until December 7th to nominate any individual or organization of the Turks and Caicos Islands whom they feel have demonstrated the spirit of humanity in a local, national or international capacity by:

  • Promoting mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation and lasting peace among all people;
  • Contributing to the alleviation of human suffering, protection of life, or the promotion of health;
  • Educating the public on the meaning and importance of humanity and human dignity;
  • Promoting respect for all human beings.

Nominees must be a resident of the TCI and must be persons who have consistently demonstrated qualities of compassion and humanitarian values through integrity, responsibility, mutual respect, human equality, courage and moral progress.

‘When we look around us at our beautiful islands we see underserved communities, increasing crime levels, violence and division.  We need to build a better society, and this award is one way in which we can help make that society a reality.  In honouring people who work to help others, who work to rebuild communities and promote unity instead of division, we promote humanitarian behaviour.  In promoting that selfless behaviour, we hope that more people will model the humanitarians in our midst and say to themselves, ‘I can do that.’ stated Director of the TCI Human Rights Commission, Sabrina Green.

Green further remarked; “When our youth see one of their own celebrated for the good work that they do in our communities, they know that they are noticed, that they are valued and that they can make a difference.  It is only when our young people are fully engaged with our communities that we can create a society that is more unified, less crime and one where all people are treated fairly.  After all, you cannot change a society by changing its old men, you change it by teaching its children.’

Once nominations are closed, a shortlist of nominees will be created from individuals with the most nominations following which a Selection Committee will be tasked with selecting the winners based on the pre-set criteria’s. The winner of the Humanitarian of the Year and the Young Humanitarian Award will be revealed during an awards celebration slated for Saturday, December 15th at the Shore Club Resort.

The HRC is also encouraging persons to make advance purchase of tickets as space is limited.

Green said: ‘There are some remarkable people in our communities who put the quality of life of others above their own, who diligently work with people less fortunate than themselves, who spend their lives working to create a fairer, more secure society for our children to inherit.  This is an opportunity for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to come together and celebrate the best of us, our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, our neighbours and community leaders, an opportunity to say thank you to individuals who work to make everyone’s lives better, so come out and vote, because it matters!’

Residents who wish to cast their nominations can do so by accessing any of the ballot boxes which can be found at the locations below;

 

Grand Turk

  • Fortis
  • Cockpit Lounge

 

Salt Cay

  • District Commissioners Office

 

Providenciales

  • Human Rights Commission, Graceway Plaza, Leeward Highway
  • IGA Graceway Plaza
  • Smart IGA, Downtown
  • Gilley’s at Providenciales International Airport
  • Fortis, Leeward Highway
  • PTV, Stubbs Diamond Plaza, The Bight

 

North Caicos

  • District Commissioners Office

 

Middle Caicos

  • District Commissioners Office

 

South Caicos

  • District Commissioners Office

 

The Turks and Caicos Islands Humanitarian of the Year and the Young Humanitarian of the Year Awards will be presented each year. Each recipient will receive an award certificate, crystal emblem of the HRC in addition to other prizes and will be honored at the Humanitarian of the Year Awards Ceremony in December of each year.

 

Release: TCI Human Rights Commission Humanitarian Awards Committee

TCI News

VisitTCI and Potcake Place Highlight Growing Homeless Dog Crisis  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be facing a major tourism problem: thousands more stray dogs.

It’s a likely consequence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on US puppy imports, says Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder and director Jane ParkerRauw in a new video produced by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The collaboration between the country’s leading tourism website and the charity dog rescue—which works to reduce the local population of homeless dogs—sheds light on how the CDC ruling has disrupted the charity’s operations and is contributing to an alarming rise in the country’s homeless dogs.

“It’s going to take years of getting back from [the progress we’ve lost] over the last 14 months,” said Parker-Rauw in an interview with VisitTCI. “I can’t stress how in such a short period of time, this is going to have such an impact on tourism here.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s ban on importing dogs less than six months old into the US took effect. The ban aims to prevent the introduction of DMRVV (dog-maintained rabies virus variant) into the US.

Since then, Potcake Place has been unable to find homes for hundreds of puppies. For the first time in the rescue’s 25-year history, they have had to turn away dogs.

“If we allow stray dogs to overrun the islands, it will inevitably affect the experience of our visitors and the tourism industry as a whole,” says Daniel J. LeVin, executive editor of VisitTCI. “Visit Turks and Caicos Islands works hard to promote the Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and that means supporting efforts that protect the environment, community, and visitor experience.”

Many residents of Providenciales remember a time when wild dogs were shot to keep packs in check, or more recently, the fatal attack of a North Caicos woman in 2012 by feral dogs.

Large stray populations pose health and safety risks, deter tourists, and strain public resources. Many puppies the Potcake Place has had to turn away since the ban began have likely already had puppies themselves, says Parker-Rauw.

The impact of controlling a potentially explosive population of homeless dogs could have serious negative effects on the Turks and Caicos tourism industry, as seen in countries like Turkey.

“Two dogs in six years, if none of their offspring die, will produce 62,000 dogs,” says Parker-Rauw. “This is a major problem.”

The United States accounts for over 80% of visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the vast majority of Potcake Place’s adoptions.

Since the ban came into effect, US adoptions have dropped from roughly 500 per year to just five per month, says Parker-Rauw. Getting older puppies to the US is challenging, as they’re too large for airline cabins and not permitted in the hold of planes traveling between Turks and Caicos and the US.

Potcake Place has been advocating for a revision of the ban to allow puppies from lowrisk rabies or rabies-free countries into the US. Turks and Caicos is a DMRVV-free country, and all puppies adopted through Potcake Place are fully vaccinated before travel.

This collaboration is one of several that Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has spearheaded this year to promote sustainable tourism. Both the video and an expanded article can be found at www.visittci.com/news.

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Turks and Caicos Islands Reaffirms Status as Premier Beach and Romance Destination at World Travel Awards  

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Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (October 6th, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands has once again reaffirmed its status as the Caribbean’s premier beach and romance destination at the annual World Travel Awards.

At the ceremony held in Saint Lucia on October 4th, the destination was named the region’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos has captured the Leading Beach Destination title every year since 2015 and the Most Romantic Destination award for seven consecutive years.

“It is no secret that the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and we are honoured that voters continue to recognise this. Our pristine waters and secluded settings also make the destination one of the world’s most romantic getaways, especially for couples seeking luxury and intimacy. On behalf of Experience Turks and Caicos, I extend sincere thanks to the World Travel Awards and to everyone who voted in support of our islands,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos.

Experience Turks and Caicos would like to extend congratulations to our hotel partners and stakeholders who also won regional recognition at the World Travel Awards.

Beaches – Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025

The Palms – Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2025

Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort – Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2025

InterCaribbean – Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2025

Turks and Caicos Islands Awards

Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique Hotel 2025

The Palms – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel 2025

Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Luxury Resort 2025

The Shore Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort 2025

Four-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse @Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel Suite 2025

Avis – Turks and Caicos Leading Car Rental Company 2025

Caicos Dream Tours – Turks and Caicos Leading Tour Operator 2025

Olympia Destination Management Company – Turks and Caicos Leading Destination Management Company 2025

The Turks and Caicos Islands now has an opportunity to win ultimate recognition in global travel and tourism with three global nominations in the World Travel Awards for the following:

World’s Leading Beach Destination
World’s Leading Island Destination
World’s Most Romantic Destination

The “World’s Leading” categories are the highest in the World Travel Awards programme. Voting runs from October 6th -26th October 2025. Votes can be cast by travel professionals, media and tourism consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes announced as the 2025 World Travel Awards winner.

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103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

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Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

  • 75 males (including two minors)
  • 28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force

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