During the recent opening ceremony of the Heads of Government Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, President Irfaan Ali made a statement emphasizing his commitment to the interests of the people of Haiti. However, his words were met with sharp criticism from Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir, who denounced Ali’s hypocrisy regarding Haitian rights.
Walton-Desir expressed incredulity at Ali’s assertion, particularly in light of recent actions taken by his government. She highlighted the revocation of the visa-free travel arrangement for Haitians, which had been previously enacted under former President David Granger. This move, Walton-Desir argued, directly contradicts Ali’s professed dedication to Haitian interests.
Moreover, Walton-Desir pointed out the unjust detention of 26 Haitian individuals by Ali’s government on suspicion of human trafficking. Despite no charges being filed against them, these individuals were held for weeks, raising serious concerns about their treatment and due process.
The Opposition MP also drew attention to the government’s failure to provide adequate protection for Haitian migrants, citing the Chief Justice’s decision to strike down a deportation order obtained without proper adherence to legal protocols. This, Walton-Desir argued, highlights the government’s disregard for the rights and freedoms of Haitian nationals.
Walton-Desir further criticized the stark disparity in treatment between Haitian and Venezuelan migrants, noting the government’s vocal support for the latter while subjecting the former to discriminatory policies and she further challenged President Ali to demonstrate genuine commitment to Haitian rights by reversing his government’s restrictive measures and reinstating policies that afford Haitian nationals the same privileges as other migrants. Until then, she asserted, Ali’s claims of championing the Haitian cause remain hollow and hypocritical.
The remarks by Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir underscore ongoing concerns about the treatment of Haitian migrants in Guyana and raise important questions about the government’s commitment to upholding human rights and equality for all migrants within its borders.
