“On behalf of my government and myself, I express deep sorrow at the loss of life
and distress suffered by persons aboard a vessel which left Antigua and Barbuda
illegally earlier today, Tuesday 28 March for an unknown destination, and which
capsized in the open sea.
While reports are still sketchy, we understand that the majority of persons on board
the vessel may be Africans, and were part of those who arrived here as tourists, but
with the intention of migrating to other countries.
It is widely known that my government has been making every effort to be helpful
to these brothers and sisters from Africa, who were marooned on Antigua,
including granting them residence and the opportunity to work. We have also been
engaged with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the
International Organisation for Migration, on the best ways of treating them as
refugees.
Two things appear clear from today’s tragic events. The first is that the Africans on
board the vessel wanted to leave Antigua and Barbuda for another country. The
second is that the owners and operators of a vessel in Antigua and Barbuda
facilitated their transport, on an illegal journey.
My government will launch a full investigation into the circumstances of this
unlawful and dreadful affair, including the involvement of any citizens and
residents.
We will also uphold our international obligations against human trafficking and
illegal migration by strengthening our domestic institutions and enhancing our
cooperation with regional and hemispheric partners.
In the meantime, my government will also continue to offer refuge in Antigua and
Barbuda to the survivors of today’s events, and we will make appropriate
arrangements for the burial of the deceased. We will also make every effort to
contact their relatives to advise them of this heart-breaking tragedy.
We appeal to the Africans, who are in Antigua and Barbuda, not to be tempted into
any schemes such as happened today, but to work with the government, through
our immigration authorities, to help find acceptable solutions to
their circumstances.
All of the facts surrounding today’s calamity are not yet known.
However, I know that we all want to understand what occurred and to take action
to ensure it does not happen again.
My government will further advise of all these circumstances as soon as we receive
more and better particulars.”
