Jamaica, Trinidad Work to Resolve Dispute Over Border Entry

By Ivis Wonlah | Published on: April 8, 2016 | Updated on April 10, 2016 Comments (0)

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Talks have started between the governments of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago following recent cases in which Jamaicans were denied entry to the twin-island republic.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, told JIS News that steps are being taken to address the issue.

“We are seeking to find a solution at the political level, so I have started conversations with my counterpart in Trinidad and Tobago, Senator Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs. We have spoken twice and we will continue to speak in good faith to find a solution,” she said.

Johnson Smith said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is aware of the interest and frustration as it relates to the movement of Jamaicans within CARICOM.

“We understand the frustration of Jamaicans on these matters, including those of the private sector, who have made strong pronouncements. We are working to try to achieve a solution and we will update the public as soon as we have made some progress,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is reminding Jamaicans that:

• There is a CARICOM Complaints Procedure, which may be used to ensure that nationals who have been denied entry, detained or mistreated at the ports of entry of other CARICOM countries file a formal complaint with the Ministry on return to Jamaica.
• The complaint forms are available on arrival at the airports in Jamaica.

• Once a complaint is received, an investigation is conducted with the relevant authorities in the CARICOM country concerned.

• Jamaican nationals may also make reports directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

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