TCI Governor surprised by UNHCR call for asylum for fleeing Haitians

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, June 16, 2022 – Governor Nigel Dakin says he was ‘surprised’ at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee’s call on May 27 which had come ‘without consultation.’

“I – along with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands – were surprised by this intervention by the UNHCR which was done without consultation, certainly with us, and seemingly without regard to the very different circumstances of countries and territories within the Caribbean region.” He said.

The UNHCR made a call to “Caribbean Governments” on May 27th requesting that they “fulfill their maritime rescue obligations and ensure all those in need of international protection are identified and offered unobstructed and prompt access to fair asylum procedures.”

The Governor said he had put the matter in the hands of the British, making sure to make the feelings of the Turks and Caicos Islanders clear.

“I have referred the matter – making clear local feeling and local context – to the UK who are best placed to raise this matter with the respective UN Agency.” He explained.

The issue was raised after hundreds of Haitians headed to the US turned up in Cuba after being abandoned by their captain at sea.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has rejected the statement as “reckless”.