KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -The three-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in Haiti is due to arrive there on Wednesday in continuation of the efforts of the regional integration movement to find a solution to the political and socio-economic situation there, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith has said.
She told a news conference that the group, headed by former St. Lucia prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and including his two former prime ministerial colleagues, Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Perry Christie of the Bahamas, would continue to meet with government and other Haitian stakeholders, while in Port au Prince.
“The Eminent Persons Group is arriving in Haiti today for their next round of stakeholder consultations, which will take place over the next three days,” she told reporters.
The meetings in the French-speaking CARICOM country are a follow-up to the three-day consultation on Haiti that was held in Jamaica last month to build consensus and allow inclusive participation in a neutral environment.
The EPG has been tasked, along with a small team comprising the technical expertise in mediation, security, and political research supported by the CARICOM Secretariat, to facilitate consultations with Haitian stakeholders.
The EPG will initiate and oversee the CARICOM’s provision of Good Offices support in designated priority areas, including security, governance, the electoral process, and long-term development planning and advocacy. They will also liaise with key international partners and agencies.
Johnson Smith told reporters that Jamaica was pleased with the outcome of the deliberations held during the 45th CARICOM summit held in Port of Spain last week with regards to Haiti, saying, “We made far more significant progress in terms of determining as a body of member states what is needed for us to support Haitian led solutions and indeed sustainable head led Haitian solutions in their efforts to return to peace and stability.
“I think there was demonstrated greater cohesion and clarity at this meeting. All of the heads present and, in fact, most, if not all, visiting guests commended CARICOM for the work that they have been doing and commended the work of the Eminent Persons Group and expressed appreciation to the government of Jamaica for hosting in a neutral, safe and inclusive way.”
She said the more than 50 stakeholders who came and engaged in the Kingston talks also “made significant progress in that regard.
“So the meeting in Port of Spain was able to harness that goodwill and to acknowledge the need, for example, of the immediate creation of a humanitarian and a security stabilization corridor under the mandate of a United Nations Security Council resolution.”
She said the regional leaders had also approved of Prime Minister Andrew Holness making a presentation to the United Nations Secretary Security Council, which he did last Wednesday and whose “exhibit was well received.
“But the critical point to take away is that it’s endorsed Prime Minister Holness recognizing that immediate security assistance is needed for a humanitarian and security stabilization corridor. A UN Security Council resolution is required to support a return to peace and stability in Haiti.
Johnson Smith also confirmed that Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry has indicated that he would not be contesting the elections in Haiti “and also based on some of the announced agreements, which he made here in Kingston, including the expansion of the High Transition Council (HTC) membership to be more inclusive, and a reshuffling of his government to be more inclusive and representative to allow for a transition to take place in a way that builds trust and confidence.”
She told reporters also that the 37 Haitian nationals who arrived here by boat earlier this week are receiving attention to their immediate needs from the relevant arms of the government of Jamaica and that the Ministry of National Security is leading on these matters.
“I understand the Ministry of National Security would share that information about their exact location at the point they see fit. The Ministry of Health and Wellness, I understand, has now completed their health checks and health examinations, and everyone there is in good faith and good health; they’re being fed and taken good care of, and further decisions and announcements will be made in terms of the ultimate treatment of this body of persons in due course.”.
But she said the government has not taken “a fixed policy position” regarding Haitians arriving in Jamaica illegally.
“At this point, we know that we are creatures of international law and that always guides us in terms of asylum and refugee status rules. There has been no claim made in either category by the persons who have arrived, and therefore, they are treated as illegal entrants.
“Because this is the capacity within which they have arrived, the matter will be discussed further. But at this time, there is no overarching position regarding Haitian arrivals in Jamaica, other than as we are guided by international law and all domestic laws,” Johnson Smith told reporters.
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