Haiti - TIC/Bahamas : 530 Haitian Boat-People intercepted in less than 2 months
Commissioner Trevor Botting, the police chief of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), said that the interception since the beginning of this year of 530 illegal migrants from Haiti (including 428 since the beginning of February) during joint operations between the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) and the authorities of the TCI demonstrated their determination to protect territorial waters and the integrity of their territory.
For her part, Prime Minister Sharlene Cartwright Robinson of the Turks and Caicos Islands announced several new initiatives to reduce illegal migration. "The Government is currently working to develop a National Security Unit which is expected to launch later this year as well as the establishment of a Border Protection Agency," adding that his government and the government of the Bahamas had agreed on a new partnership to combat illegal migration and were currently working on a formal memorandum of understanding. She expressed confidence that this strategy, together with a team of multi-sectoral stakeholders, will contribute to efforts to identify the root of the problem of illegal migration.
For his part, Nigel Dakin Governor of the Turks and Caicos islands hopes that these joint actions and the reduction of the chances of clandestinely reaching their destination, will reach Haiti and will discourage more than one, reminding Haitians that all illegal migrants intercepted are prohibited from any future attempt at legal emigration to the country.
In addition, he urged all TCI residents who have links to Haiti, to warn Haitians who want to flee their country in search of a better life, the dangers of the sea and Human trafficking networks.
