Speaking to journalists at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Shabia Mantoo, spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), told journalists that many dangerous crossings in the Caribbean Sea take place in boats that are overloaded and unable to respond.
Ms. Mantoo cited a recent example of a ship carrying more than 800 Haitians that, bound for the US, instead went to Cuba after being abandoned by its captain and adrift at sea.
Many of those seeking dangerous sea crossings are fleeing the region’s political instability and socioeconomic insecurity, which has put severe strains on communities. throughout the Caribbean.
Haiti is rocked by gang-related violence, internal displacement, natural disasters and a lack of job opportunities. Under such dire humanitarian and security conditions, the prospects for those who are pushed back or forced to return home are dire.
Refugees in the Caribbean are not limited to Haitians, but there are clear signs that an increasing number of migrants and asylum seekers are fleeing the struggling island nation.
Since May, US Coast Guard reports nearly 3,900 intercepts of Haitian nationals, more than double the number reported a year ago. In addition, at least 175 Haitians have been reported to the Coast Guard as missing or dead.
States must ‘fulfil their international obligations’
Ms Mantoo said that UNHCR was urging Governments in the region to fulfill their maritime rescue obligations and ensure that all those in need of international protection are identified and provided with the right to fast and unfettered access to fair asylum proceedings.
“Search and rescue at sea is a legal and humane imperative, and those rescued include refugees and others in need of protection,” explains Ms. Mantoo. “Coordination, solidarity and shared responsibility are critical to an effective response and to ensuring that those in need of international protection are not returned to their countries of origin and the dangers to which they are exposed. they escaped.”
The spokesperson went on to note that receiving countries for refugees and migrants have a primary responsibility to protect those who have grounds for fear of persecution in their countries of origin.
Ms Mantoo told journalists: “It is important to make sure that disembarkation of the rescued people does not lead to an overall return and that they have access to procedures for assessing claims. their needs before being deported or deported,” Ms. Mantoo told journalists.
In response to an increasing number of people risking their lives in dangerous sea crossings, UNHCR is working with Governments in the region to assist in the response and reception of those arriving at their borders, strengthening asylum system, ensuring fair and effective protection of refugees, and advocating human rights and international refugee law, while respecting national security and sovereignty concerns government.
