Officials block help to Cuban migrants
Cuban migrants in Cayman waters (file photo)
(CNS): Attempts by local residents to provide fuel and water to a group of 29 Cuban refugees in a makeshift vessel was prevented by the police and officials, according to reports from witnesses at the scene in East End last week. During January more than 77 migrants passed through local waters according, to officials who said the policy of discouraging assistance is long-standing and has not changed.
“It still remains that migrants who are unable or unwilling to continue on are received, screened, processed and repatriated as per the MOUs,” a home affairs spokesperson stated.
Witnesses had said they were stopped from helping the group, which had arrived at an East End dive resort from Cayman Brac early Saturday morning, 24 January. The migrants, who were headed to Honduras, were ordered to move on by immigration and police officers without any assistance at around 9am. The immigration officers said that the deputy governor had ordered that no Cuban boat was allowed to land or receive assistance from local residents, the witnesses told CNS.
If migrants wish to end their treacherous journeys in Cayman officials will detain them until they are repatriated at the Fairbanks Detention Centre, which is now managed by the prison. At present officials confirmed that there are just ten people at the centre. Officials said four of the men arrived last month, added to the four already detained from last year and one woman landed in January to join the previous lone female at the centre, who had arrived at the end of 2014. They are expected to be repatriated shortly.
The Caribbean is seeing another increase in Cubans seeking to get to the US as fears mount that the restoration of diplomatic relations between those two countries will see an end to the ‘wet foot, dry foot’ policy in the US, which allows Cubans migrants the right to stay in America once they set foot on US soil.
Category: Local News
Another sad story re helping those that are in need.What a crock not being allowed to give them food water and gasoline.Remember the old saying “what goes around comes around”and it will bite you in the ass.
Hmmmm….I heard from ‘locals’ that they were not seeking help, just needed to stop….and moved on…I pray they make it safely to their destination ~
Police are humans and know when something is morally wrong.
RCIPS should “work-to-rule” walk-out or strike, and all the Islands should
support them. Even Obama is snubbing his nose to his Government, to
to the right thing for suffering people. Maybe the Cubans should be picked
up and flown to Jolly Ol’ England and say it’s your problem now.
This is disgusting and so unChristian and we as Caymanians call ourselves ‘Christian’. May God have mercy on us and those perpetrating this inhumane treatment – not even water!!! In the name of following ‘the law’. What an atrocity!!! Might as well sign up to be in the ‘Gestapo’!
Please don’t let the colonial cool aid saturate your ability to think clearly. This policy was concocted by the UK, not Cayman.
There is some arrangement signed between UK and Cuban Governments (remember, we cannot sign international agreements on our own behalf), and ratified by CIG that prohibits a certain degree of assistance to refugees. However, I would be shocked if it prevents the provision of food, water and fuel – simple humanitarian assistance. God help us as a country and our individual souls if we are prevented from offering humanitarian assistance to those poor people. Hopefully we as a country have not become so heartless. Hopefully the RCIPS Officers referenced misinterpreted what help could be offered and God forgive their ignorance and callousness. Hope Franz Manderson’s instructions were also misinterpreted, otherwise God save his soul!
If, indeed, we are prohibited from offering even humanitarian aid, some weak-ass politicians have allowed that to be rammed down our throat without them even standing-up to Mother! Surely this can’t be the case; the Geneva Convention is not so heartless!
It would behoove Mr. Franz Manderson to ensure that RCIPS and ALL law enforcement agencies are fully and properly informed of ALL the parameters and allowances of our international obligations to refugees. Publishing same to the general media for the sake of public clarity is also advised.
CNS, can you please seek a copy of said protocols?
International Mou between the Uk Fco and Cuban government ensuring medical, humanitarian assistance = fact.
International maritime laws and 1st world moral obligations to render necessary assistance = fact.
Anything else conjured up within the 12 mile reality exclusion zone = urban myth.
This archaic and senseless policy needs to be changed and changed now. It is not a reflection of the democracy of the Cayman Islands.
This is a crying shame and a living disgrace that a so called christian and God fearing country would deny humanitarian aid to their neighbours who are obviously in a moment of need. So much for going to church on Sunday and following the Ten Commandments. Wonder what Jesus would say about a nation with such an lack of conscience. Surely we have all heard of the parable of The Good Samaritan.
So it’s better for the government to house and repatriate these people rather than allowing private citizens to assist them on their journey? That sounds about right for Cayman standards.
karma says that someday caymanians will take to the sea only to be denied help as they flee from their homeland.
So true, maybe even help to a fishing boat will be denied. But I doubt it since Cubans are more hospitable than that. This is Caymankind at its finest. We constantly say Cayman is a Christian community , if so I ask you then …what would Jesus do? Certainly not turn his back on fellow HUMANS who are willing to risk their lives for a shot at living in a non-communist country. Shameful behavior, shameful law.
Sounds like that is your hope. Perhaps one should remember that these policies are keeping with what mama England requires. This all stems from the “fight against terrorism” that the democracies of the world have decided to take on.
In my opinion, I do believe that Cayman should have told the UK no!
BUT I stop short of blaming Cayman. Do the research and refresh your memory about how and where this stupid policy came from.
Then our elected officials should grow backbones. At some point Cayman must say no but Greed and need to pump their elected wallets and egos seems to rule over common sense and ethics. Every time we ask for money to cover our debt this is the marlarky we get in return??? Say NOT Today, Bobo.
What absolute rubbish! It comes from the horrific experience Cayman has had in the past, with huge numbers of Cubans landing here and seeking to stay here, placing a huge strain on local resources. Nothing to do with the UK, and way predates 9/11. Read your own history. I know its more comfortable to blame Mother, but the reality is that Cayman does not want a massive influx of Cubans, and if they land and claim asylum that’s what we are going to get.
Government screams human rights…we have allowed cold blooded killers out of Northward, yet we can’t give these people fuel food and water…what kind of people have we become?
Hopefully karma can tell the difference between the citizens who were actively trying to help and the officials who stopped them.