FEBRUARY 4TH, 2017 – FEBRUARY 11TH, 2017
VOLUME 13 - NO. 05
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JAMAICANS NOT MISTREATED IN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS R
eports that Jamaicans living in Turks and Caicos Islands are mistreated have been described as inaccurate. Minister of Immigration and Border Control, Hon. Sean Astwood, said a report in the Jamaica Observer under the headline “Lawyer slams treatment of Jamaicans in Turks after teacher returns”, contained a number of inaccuracies. In a press statement, Hon. Sean Astwood, stated: “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Border Control and Employment that an article entitled “Lawyer slams treatment of Jamaicans in Turks after teacher returns” was published and is being circulated by several media outlets. While it is not the Ministry’s policy to comment on individual cases, we have reviewed the published article and noted a number of inaccuracies.” He added: “The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands wishes to assure readers of that article that the rule of law is central to the administration of work permits and the treatment of all persons that are visiting or resident in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is further advised that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands values the good relationship it has with the people of Jamaica, and in particular, all those who bring benefits to our society and country as a whole.” The article in the Jamaica Observer, which is owned by Gordon “Butch” Stewart, the largest private sector employer in the Turks and Caicos Islands, quoted a Jamaican attorney called Gillian Mullings as saying that immigrants are poorly treated by employers and they are deported to their homeland without the matter being heard by a tribunal. She also stated, among other things: “I mean, we even have cases of immigration taking away people and raping them
Lamar Griffith
F
Krishna Penn
Conrad Thomas
Three men charged with the murder of Kevino Smith
ollowing the arrest of 3 males on Grand Turk and Providenciales on Wednesday February 1st, 2017, detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, have now formally cautioned and charged three males, in the detention centre and getting away with it...... Think about it, you’re working somewhere as a maid and you do somebody something ... they call immigration, immigration comes and detains you. You can do what you want to these people. They don’t have any rights.” “People need to be aware of what is happening before they get here; they need to be aware of their rights,” she added, “ The SUN understands that the Jamaica lawyer, Ms. Mullings, could also find herself in trouble, if she was found to have been working in the Turks and Caicos Islands without being called to the Bar. President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Bar Council, Jonathan Katan, said
24 year old Krishna Penn, 25 year old Conrad Thomas Jr and 31 year old Lamar Griffith with the murder of Kevino Smith of Grand Turk. Kevino Smith was reported missing by his family on Friday 6th March
2015. After continuous and extensive searches, his body was found on Thursday 16th April in the Breezy Brae area of Grand Turk by members of the Community. The three men appeared in court on Friday.
if the lawyer was engaging in legal illegally. work in the Turks and Caicos Islands The report also states that without being admitted, even if limited, she applied for an extension to stay this would be a criminal offence under in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but the Legal Professions Ordinance. that request was never granted by the Ms. Mullings was in the Turks Immigration Department. and Caicos Islands for a few days acting Hutchinson’s report also on behalf of another Jamaican Suzette confirmed that Codling was properly Codling, a teacher whose work permit dealt with by her former employers was not renewed following reports that at the day care and that she was paid she was verbally and physically abusing what was due to her. children. This is not the first time the The SUN understands that an Turks and Caicos Islands Government independent report prepared by Mr. and other officials here have had Allan Hutchinson, Jamaica’s Honorary to defend the country against false Consul in Turks and Caicos Islands, accusations in the Jamaica media. also stated that several claims made In May 2016, an article in the by Ms. Mullings and Ms. Codling were Jamaica Gleaner, under the headline inaccurate. “ You Don’t Belong Here’ - Jamaicans Hutchinson’s report, which has Claim They Are Being Targeted In TCI”, since been forwarded to the Turks and stated that Jamaicans are complaining Caicos Islands Government and the about the treatment they are getting Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jamaica, from authorities there, but the Ministry also states that when Ms. Codling was of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade picked up by Immigration officials says those complaints are yet to be and detained, she was “out of status”, reported to it. meaning that she was in the country Continued on Page 2