EDITORIAL

Cuban guidelines have failed

Tuesday,  February 8, 2006

The rather unreasonable guidelines, which were introduced in this country in 2004 in an attempt to try and deter Cuban migrants from using the Cayman Islands as a stopping point on their journey to freedom in either the United States of America, Honduras or other destinations in the region, have clearly failed.

The number of Cubans passing through this country in particular Cayman Brac has not declined, if anything it has increased and because of the draconian measures of essentially, ‘leave as you are or be returned to Cuba,’ we have seen a number of refugees claim political asylum here instead of their original intended destination.

As this country is obliged to follow international law, we are now incurring greater costs as we provide shelter, food, and education for the children and legal assistance as the refugees and migrants proceed with their claims.

Moreover, the guidelines which make it an offence for residents of the Cayman Islands to assist Cubans in anyway be it food, water, fuel or repairs to their craft, are clearly being flouted.

In some cases people are ignoring the law out of sheer decency to their fellowman and intentionally accepted norms of behaviour, which require us all to go to the assistance of someone in distress if we can.

Others reportedly and rather unfortunately are doing it for monetary gain.
Either way the Cuban issue will not go away. 

Furthermore the culture of trying to keep the “Cuban issue” quiet prevails.

Even though this Government has prided itself on open and transparent governance, and in most areas has fulfilled the promise to be so to voters, it does appear to be failing where Cubans are concerned.

Time and time again Government Information Services (GIS) releases issued concerning the arrival and departure of Cuban migrants differ widely from eyewitness accounts. The reports from both tourists and residents on the Sister Islands and in the districts of East End and North Side in Grand Cayman, where these migrants tend to land are more often than not very different from the information supplied by GIS.

Moreover the recent comings and goings of several large groups of Cubans, who have claimed refugee status, seem to have been repatriated with little information forthcoming. 

We still await too the full details of the report over the alleged ramming and sinking of one vessel where women and children were put in great danger, before they were forced ashore and in -to custody.

Detention as well is another problem. According to a recent visit by a leading United Nations High Commission for Refugees, (UNHCR) official, people claiming political asylum should not be kept in detention. 
It is clearly time to review the current guidelines. It is evident that they have failed to achieve their intended goal to reduce the number of Cubans passing through these Islands. 

As noted, the rules are often ignored anyway, but more importantly – when they are followed we are putting people at great risk.

Reports still continue regarding Cubans that are not assisted who then sail off into the horizon in vessels that are far from seaworthy with very low supplies of food and water. 

It is time to reconsider the guidelines and ask what they have achieved and who has really benefited, surely not the good name of the Cayman Islands.

It is certain the answers are going to be uncomfortable, because it is surely difficult for any Administration to justify keeping rules in place that serve no other purpose than to put lives at risk.

For this country the Cuban issue is here to stay and the time has come for a sensible realistic approach to their arrival that does not place their lives in danger while allowing Caymanians to do the decent thing, which is what most want to do. 

That is to help their fellow man on his way to a better life, especially when the danger of their person is at stake at the mercy of uncharted seas they face on their way to freedom.

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