62 Haitian migrants detained

By ALISON LOWE

Tribune Staff Reporter

alowe@tribunemedia.net

SIXTY-TWO Haitian migrants are being processed by Defence Force and Immigration Officers after their unseaworthy boat was found in waters in the Exuma chain on Saturday morning, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force reported.

A release from the RBDF yesterday afternoon said the migrants were detained after being spotted by a Defence Force vessel, HMBS P-45, which was on routine patrol about 13 nautical miles southwest of Barretarre, Exuma.

"Upon further investigation, they discovered the migrants (49 males, 13 females), who all appeared to be in fair health. The migrants were transferred from their unseaworthy vessel and taken aboard the Defence Force craft P-45 and 49 for further processing."

The migrants form the second large group of Haitians to be apprehended in Bahamian waters since the devastating January 12th earthquake struck Port-au-Prince. Officers reported that the majority of the more than 50 Haitians apprehended off Adelaide, New Providence, on January 25 said they had set off from Port-au-Prince.

Forty-nine from among that group were charged in Magistrate's Court with illegally landing in the country and sentenced to six months in prison, following Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's announcement that as a result of the earthquake repatriations from The Bahamas to Haiti would be suspended as the Haitian government was not in a position to accept them back into the country.

The origin of this latest group has not been released.

The statement from the force on Saturday's apprehension differs slightly from that provided by the Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham, and Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest when asked earlier that day about the then unconfirmed reports that a new group of migrants had been detained on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference on the Elizabeth by-election Sunday afternoon, the Prime Minister stated: "There's a boat in our territorial waters that has not been apprehended but is in a contained position and we expect that boat to be returned to Haiti with its occupants."

Mr Turnquest later added that the boat had entered an inlet to escape rough seas.

"We have it in a protected area and are waiting for word to have them repatriated."

Mr Turnquest said he did not wish to release the location of the boat.

Published On:Monday, February 08, 2010