HAITI-MIGRATION-CARICOM official wants region to re-visit visa restrictions for Haitians

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Head of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Representation Office in Haiti, Ambassador Earl Huntley, says Haitians may have a valid case if they go before the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) challenging the need for a visa to visit member CARICOM countries. “In fact I suspect that if they were to the challenge this at the CCJ in terms of the treaty they could probably win it,” Huntley said. Despite becoming a full member of the 15-member regional integration grouping in 2002 as well as being a signatory to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in 2006, Haitians have had to obtain a visa to travel within CARICOM member states. “It is a manifestation of the attitude towards Haitians, The countries with visas have implemented this to keep out an invasion of Haitians. But if Haitians wanted to go to all the other islands they would find a way as you see now in with the boat people going to the coast of Jamaica,” Huntley said on a radio programme.