fp Turks and Caicos

However, Clara Gardiner, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, says all of the more than 120 illegal Haitians recently apprehended were properly interviewed to determine their status and were returned after communication and agreement with Haitian officials.

Since last year’s earthquake in Haiti, the UN has urged countries not to forcibly repatriate illegal Haitian immigrants as long as the crisis persists.

His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell joined other countries in honoring that call, which drew criticism from members of the Consultative Forum and others. But immediate repatriation was resumed after several months.

The Haitians aboard the most recent sloop intercepted Jan. 3 off West Caicos were examined for cholera, treated for any injuries, provided humanitarian aid and properly interviewed, Gardiner said. The UN refugee agency said it questions “whether the group was interviewed to identify potential protection needs arising from particular vulnerabilities or risks upon return. Within the current context in Haiti, these could include serious risks to unaccompanied or separated children, pregnant or otherwise vulnerable women or victims of violence or persecution.”

Gardiner said representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) visited the TCI in August to discuss the importance of interviews to protect illegal immigrants on their return, and that the TCI took those suggestions and has improved the interview process. She said she did not know why the UNHCR issued its statement, but it may not know of the improvements in the process.

“UNHCR fully acknowledges the right of countries to determine who enters their territories, but calls for migration control measures to be balanced with adequate protection safeguards,” the agency said.