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Gov’t looks to T&T as decision on stranded Africans looms

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The government of Antigua and Barbuda is expected to review the Trinidad and Tobago High Court’s extension of an injunction which blocked the deportation of five Cameroonians from that country, as it prepares to make a decision on the future of the Africans who are stranded here.

Last Tuesday, an injunction was granted to block the group’s removal from Trinidad and Tobago.

Two days later on Thursday, the attorneys for the five Cameroonian men and women approached the court in Port-of-Spain to petition another judge for an extension of their stay after new attempts were made to deport them a day earlier.

The group hoped to halt deportation proceedings as they awaited a decision from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on their applications to be relocated to a country that could accept them as refugees.

Their problems began when they arrived in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2022, and were detained at the Piarco International Airport.

They unsuccessfully appealed their detention with the Immigration Department and Minister of National Security.

Mindful of the legal implications if the situation here in Antigua and Barbuda involving hundreds of Africans is improperly handled, officials are paying close attention to the events that are unfolding in the southern Caribbean country.

“My government notes with interest, the decision of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago less than a week ago, to prevent the Trinidad and Tobago government from deporting the West Africans back to their homeland.

“My government further notes that the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) played a significant role in stopping the deportations.

“My government is required to take this high court decision into consideration and the role of the UNHCR, prior to making its final decision,” Governor General Sir Rodney Williams told yesterday’s joint sitting of Parliament during his presentation of the Throne Speech.

“My government has a history of demonstrating its care for, and concern over the more vulnerable, defenceless and persecuted. My government is committed to protecting all residents from exploitation and harsh treatment and would never have our West African brothers and sisters dwell illegally in the shadows, nor would we allow our kith and kin to be subjected to exploitation and harsh treatment by those who may seek to create victims,” Sir Rodney added.

In Monday’s Throne Speech, the government attempted to allay the stranded Africans’ fears of deportation. Previous immigration amnesties that have been extended to law abiding immigrants who for some reason fell behind on their immigration status was highlighted as a show of the government’s good faith to non-nationals.

A report from the Ministry of Labour and Immigration was submitted to Attorney General and Minister of Immigration and Labour, Steadroy Benjamin, last Friday which contained recommendations on how the government should proceed on the issue of the African nationals.

Cabinet will consider the report and its recommendations this week as they determine how to move forward.

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