And the opposition is also accusing the Briceno Administration of, quote, "(undermining) the institution of CARICOM, the objective of regional integration and our ultimate aspirations for a single market economy." End quote.
That's after government two weeks ago announced a decision to require that Haitian visitors to Belize first get a visa. As CARICOM nationals, they were previously stamped for a standard six month stay upon arrival.
At that time, the government also announced that it will, quote, "require Jamaican nationals to provide evidence of fully paid non-refundable hotel reservations prior to boarding flights to Belize." End quote. Tonight, they seem to be backpedaling on that after blowback from Kingston, but, more on that later.
Today, for Shyne Barrow, the focus was on the bigger picture: what he sees as Belize courting itself into an isolationist corner within CARICOM:
Shyne Barrow, UDP Leader
"Denying the Haitians their rights that are in those agreements is a rank violation, and it is not just a political statement that I'm making. This has been tested and adjudicated at the CCJ in the, in the case of Shanika Myrie. You know, uh, it is not just the UDP that is saying this. There are legal minds in Belize, there are people in Jamaica and other CARICOM nations."
Jules Vasquez
"But there is a practical necessity behind it that human smuggling is happening. We can't run from that."
Shyne Barrow, UDP Leader
"I, I accept that there is a problem with human smuggling, but again, uh, if you have agreed, as all successive Belizean governments have, to, the importance of CARICOM then you cannot arbitrarily violate the treaties, regardless of whatever domestic issue you may have. Again, that is a matter that needs to be presented to the heads of states in CARICOM. Call for a special session. Uh, you know, our, our very good Belizean is the Sec Gen. Call for a special session and then deliberate the matter with the heads of states and come up with a resolution that speaks to the obligation we have to CARICOM. We can't just make these unilateral decisions because as the, uh, release said, we'll find ourselves isolated. And I believe that we have an obligation to our brothers and sisters in CARICOM. And we cannot make unilateral decisions that will isolate us from the CARICOM community."
